HP boosts chip power with nanoscale electronics

HP has licensed a technology that could produce semiconductor chips significantly more powerful than those currently available.

HP researchers have created a process called nanoimprint lithography (NIL) which produces laboratory prototype circuits with wire widths of just 15 nanometers - about one-third the size of those used in the most advanced circuits available this year.

Once the NIL “master” is created, copies can be stamped out quickly and inexpensively. The patterns are then filled in with metals for the wires.

HP has licensed the technology to Nanolithosolutions Inc which has developed a tool based on NIL technology which is both inexpensive and easy to use.

The tool consists of a module that fits into a mask aligner - a piece of machinery used to create circuit patterns in chips today - turning it into a high-resolution NIL machines which creates the patterns for wires and transistors on a substrate.

The tool takes only a few minutes to install and will allow semiconductor manufacturers to produce chips with wires measuring a few atoms wide.

Hard-drive manufacturers are expected to start using imprint lithography on patterned media hard drives, which may be available in five years time.

Nanolithosolutions has already secured a firm order for the tool and will enter beta testing with other prospective customers.