Electromagnetic models for metallic carbon nanotube interconnects

Abstract

Purpose

To investigate the possible application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as interconnects and antennas.

Design/methodology/approach

An electromagnetic macroscopic modelling of CNT is derived. The conduction electrons of the nanotube are considered as a 2D fluid moving on the surface representing the positive ion lattice. The linearized Euler's equation describing the fluid motion is used as a macroscopic constitutive relationship to be coupled to Maxwell's equation. A surface integral formulation coupled to the fluid model is solved numerically using a finite element method. For peculiar configurations, transmission line‐like parameters of CNTs are derived.

Findings

Single wall CNT interconnects, due to the high resistance and characteristic impedance with respect to ideally scaled silicon technology, should be used in arrays and bundles.

Research limitations/implications

Only single wall CNTs are considered.

Originality/value

The paper present a novel approach to CNTs and provides a comparison among the behaviour of CNTs with respect to ideally‐scaled silicon technology.

Citation

Gaetano Chiariello, A., Miano, G., Maffucci, A., Villone, F. and Zamboni, W. (2007), "Electromagnetic models for metallic carbon nanotube interconnects", COMPEL - The international journal for computation and mathematics in electrical and electronic engineering, Vol. 26 No. 3, pp. 571-585. https://doi.org/10.1108/03321640710751064