OL2.OCT–Superconductor Technologies–SC
Multichip technology teams up with superconductors
Multichip module uses a high-temperature superconductor, thallium HTS,
for the interconnects
For the first time, the rapidly emerging electronic technologies of
multichip modules and superconductors are teaming up in the same product.
Superconductor Technologies, a Santa Barbara, CA-commercial maker of
superconductive products, is demonstrating a multichip module that uses
10-micron, superconductive lines to interconnect CMOS circuits. The module
allows the building of denser, faster electronic products for the
military.
A superconducting multichip module, developed by Superconductor
Technologies, Santa Barbara, CA, under a contract for the Defense Advanced
Research Projects Agency (DARPA), is a hybrid circuit composed of nine
CMOS digital inverters connected to form a ring oscillator and a counter
(see photo). The module is contained on a single-layer substrate measuring
1.2 mil
substrate. Key to the superconducting multichip module is the use of a
high-temperature superconductor, thallium HTS, for the interconnects.
Until now, superconductor technology was not used in multichip modules
because of its high cost and the difficulty of cooling the superconductive
compounds, which have typically operated at 4 degrees to 10 degreesK. The
new superconductor, thallium HTS, was discovered by researchers at the
University of Arkansas in 1988 and is composed of thallium, barium, calcium,
copper, and oxygen. It can conduct efficiently at 77 degreesK–the
transition temperature for liquid nitrogen. Thus, the advantages of
superconductors–the lack of electrical resistance, very low power
dissipation, and high circuit speed–can be more easily realized for
makers of multichip modules. Although the Superconductor Technologies'
multichip module is now just a demonstration project, it will spur the
development of superconducting multichip modules for military and high-end
commercial applications, such as radar. Those superconducting multichip
modules will have ICs TAB or flip-chip mounted on the substrate rather
than wire bonded, paving the way for even higher performance and density,
according to Jim Long, vice president of marketing for the company. For
more information, contact Jim Long of Superconductor Technologies, Santa
Barbara, CA, at 805-683-7646, or . –Spencer Chin
CAPTION:
The first multichip module to use superconductor technology, from
Superconductor Technologies, allows the building of denser, faster
electronic products for the military. It is a hybrid circuit containing
nine CMOS digital inverters connected to form a ring oscillator and a
counter.
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