New circuit design techniques that accommodate lower supply voltages necessary for portable systems need to be integrated into the semiconductor intellectual property (IP) core. Systems that once worked at 3.3 V or 2.5 V now need to work at 1.8 V or lower, without causing any performance degradation. Also, the fluctuation of device characteristics caused by process variation in nanometer technologies is seen as design yield loss. The numerous parasitic effects induced by layouts, especially for high-performance and high-speed circuits, pose a problem for IC design. Lack of exact layout information during circuit sizing leads to long design iterations involving time-consuming runs of complex tools. There is a strong need for low-power, high-performance, parasitic-aware and process-variation-tolerant circuit design. This dissertation proposes methodologies and techniques to achieve variability, power, performance, and parasitic-aware circuit designs. Three approaches are proposed: the single iteration automatic approach, the hybrid Monte Carlo and design of experiments (DOE) approach, and the corner-based approach. Widely used mixed-signal circuits such as analog-to-digital converter (ADC), voltage controlled oscillator (VCO), voltage level converter and active pixel sensor (APS) have been designed at nanoscale complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) and subjected to the proposed methodologies. The effectiveness of the proposed methodologies has been demonstrated through exhaustive simulations. Apart from these methodologies, the application of dual-oxide and dual-threshold techniques at circuit level in order to minimize power and leakage is also explored.

This dissertation summarizes my research in the Nuckolls group on two projects, with a central theme of achieving control of electronic coupling in various nanoscale systems. The two studies of interest aim at the study of emerging properties from alkali-doping of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH), and the synthesis of novel metal chalcogen molecular clusters. Chapter 1 is divided into two parts. Part one provides a brief history of the forces we associate with bond formation. We will learn that although defining a “chemical bond” is helpful, it is limited to our incomplete understanding of what forces contribute to its existence. The behavior of an electron in externally applied magnetic fields will be discussed, where the collective behavior of electrons in a material can be measured, showing a myriad of emerging properties. The known superconducting alkali-doped PAHs are introduced, followed by the unresolved problems of reproducibility and lack of structural data to accompany superconducting samples. Finally, the proximity of AFM to superconductivity is discussed, which could give us insights on further exploration of hight temperature organic superconductors. Part two introduces atomically precise clusters of atoms, also knows as superatoms. Various synthetic approaches to create metal chalcogenide superatoms are introduced. Next, a closer look into the cobalt selenide core, [Co6Se8], is presented. The ability to selectively substitute the ligands on this superatom, achieves dimensional control. The subunit can be seen as a 0-dimensional subunit, where it readily gives away its electrons. Furthermore, assembly of the clusters into 1-, 2-, and 3-dimensional structures is described. Chapter 2 introduces a novel approach to acquire phase pure alkali-doped PAHs, p-terphenyl specifically. Previous reports of solution-processed doping of PAH have inspired highly reliable synthesis of these salts, by employing a chelating agent to stabilize the alkali metal. The first half of chapter 2 analyzes one such crystal in detail, describing emerging AFM fluctuations. The AFM coupling between nearest neighboring p-terphenyls occurs in all three crystallographic directions. Interestingly, this coupling can be seen as an unconventional bond between two terphenyl units along the hard axis, and resembles resonance structures seen in polyacetylene. The second half of the chapter further investigates the novel method, obtaining a library of alkali-doped p-terphenyls. This approach allows for selective variation of either the alkali-metal, the chelating agent, or the electronic structure of p-terphenyl. Obtaining nearly a dozen structures allows for a study of trends of doping level and accompanied magnetic properties. Lastly, Chapter 3 proves a new mechanism for ligand substitution of cobalt selenide superatomic clusters, using an easily removable carbene as the ligand. This approach grants access to new surface ligands and core shapes to expand the properties of these superatoms. Through this approach, larger atomically precise materials can be targeted, giving rise to new types of electronic properties.

Avec l'avènement de l'"intelligence artificielle", les ordinateurs, appareils mobiles et objets connectés sont amenés à dépasser les calculs arithmétiques et logiques pour lesquels ils ont été optimisés durant des décennies, afin d'effectuer des tâches "cognitives" telles que la traduction automatique ou la reconnaissance d'images et de voix, et pour lesquelles ils ne sont pas adaptés. Ainsi, un super-calculateur peut-il consommer des mégawatts pour effectuer des tâches que le cerveau humain traite avec 20 watt. Par conséquent, des système de calcul alternatifs inspirés du cerveau font l'objet de recherches importantes. En particulier, les oscillations neurales semblant être liées à certains traitements de données dans le cerveau ont inspiré des approches détournant la physique complexe des réseaux d'oscillateurs couplés pour effectuer des tâches cognitives efficacement. Cette thèse se fonde sur les avancées récentes en nano-technologies permettant la fabrication de nano-oscillateurs hautement intégrables pour proposer et étudier de nouvelles architectures neuro-inspirées de classification de motifs exploitant la dynamique des oscillateurs couplés et pouvant être implémentées sur puce. / With the advent of "artificial intelligence", computers, mobile devices and other connected objects are being pushed beyond the realm of arithmetic and logic operations, for which they have been optimized over decades, in order to process "cognitive" tasks such as automatic translation and image or voice recognition, for which they are not the ideal substrate. As a result, supercomputers may require megawatts to process tasks for which the human brain only needs 20 watt. This has revived interest into the design of alternative computing schemes inspired by the brain. In particular, neural oscillations that appear to be linked to computational activity in the brain have inspired approaches leveraging the complex physics of networks of coupled oscillators in order to process cognitive tasks efficiently. In the light of recent advances in nano-technology allowing the fabrication of highly integrable nano-oscillators, this thesis proposes and studies novel neuro-inspired oscillator-based pattern classification architectures that could be implemented on chip.

Dans la prochaine ère de l'informatique distribuée, les ordinateurs inspirés par le cerveau qui effectuent des opérations localement plutôt que dans des serveurs distants seraient un avantage majeur en réduisant les coûts énergétiques et réduisant l'impact environnemental. Une nouvelle génération de nanodispositifs de mémoire non-volatile est un candidat de premier plan pour réaliser cette vision neuromorphique. À l'aide de travaux théoriques et expérimentaux, nous avons exploré les problèmes critiques qui se posent lors de la réalisation physique des architectures de réseaux de neurones artificiels modernes (ANN) en utilisant des dispositifs de mémoire émergents (nanodispositifs « memristifs »). Dans notre travail expérimental, nos dispositifs organiques (polymeriques) se sont adaptés avec succès et automatiquement en tant que portes logiques reconfigurables en coopérant avec un neurone digital et programmable (FGPA). Dans nos travaux théoriques, nous aussi avons considéré les multicouches memristives ANNs. Nous avons développé et simulé des variantes de projection aléatoire (un système NoProp) et de rétropropagation (un système perceptron multicouche) qui utilisent deux crossbars. Ces systèmes d'apprentissage locaux ont montré des dépendances critiques sur les contraintes physiques des nanodispositifs. Enfin, nous avons examiné comment les conceptions ANNs “feed-forward” peuvent être modi-fiées pour exploiter les effets temporels. Nous avons amélioré la bio-inspiration et la performance du système NoProp, par exemple, avec des effets de plasticité dans la première couche. Ces effets ont été obtenus en utilisant un nanodispositif à ionisation d'argent avec un comportement de transition de plasticité intrinsèque. / In the next era of distributed computing, brain-based computers that perform operations locally rather than in remote servers would be a major benefit in reducing global energy costs. A new generation of emerging nonvolatile memory devices is a leading candidate for achieving this neuromorphic vision. Using theoretical and experimental work, we have explored critical issues that arise when physically realizing modern artificial neural network (ANN) architectures using emerging memory devices (“memristors”). In our experimental work, we showed organic nanosynapses adapting automatically as logic gates via a companion digital neuron and programmable logic cell (FGPA). In our theoretical work, we also considered multilayer memristive ANNs. We have developed and simulated random projection (NoProp) and backpropagation (Multilayer Perceptron) variants that use two crossbars. These local learning systems showed critical dependencies on the physical constraints of nanodevices. Finally, we examined how feed-forward ANN designs can be modified to exploit temporal effects. We focused in particular on improving bio-inspiration and performance of the NoProp system, for example, we improved the performance with plasticity effects in the first layer. These effects were obtained using a silver ionic nanodevice with intrinsic plasticity transition behavior.

Quantum-mechanical effects play a major role in the performance of modern electronic devices. In order to predict the behavior of novel devices, quantum effects are often included using Non-Equilibrium Green's Function (NEGF) methods in atomistic device representations. These quantum effects may include realistic inelastic scattering caused by device impurities and phonons. With the inclusion of realistic physical phenomena, the computational load of predictive simulations increases greatly, and a manageable basis through low-rank approximations is desired.<br><br>In this work, low-rank approximations are used to reduce the computational load of atomistic simulations. The benefits of basis reductions on simulation time and peak memory are assessed.<br>The low-rank approximation method is then extended to include more realistic physical effects than those modeled today, including exact calculations of scattering phenomena. The inclusion of these exact calculations are then contrasted to current methods and approximations.

Photovoltaics (PV) are a renewable energy technology experiencing rapidly increasing commercial adoption today. Nonetheless, many proposed PV applications still require higher efficiencies, lower costs and comparable reliability to currently available in commercial devices (typically made from silicon). To enable the rigorous study of a much wider range of materials and novel design concepts, particularly those based on compound thin films, Concentrated Photovoltaics (CPV), cells with bifaciality, a comprehensive modeling framework is developed to couple photon absorption, carrier transport, photon recycling, and thermal transport in PV devices. The universality of this framework manifest itself in approaching various PV related problems as follows: 1) exploring the novel design of wide-Eg GaInP solar cells as an intermediate step to enhance the efficiency of multijunction PV devices; 2) characterizing the open-circuit voltage (VOC) degradation in thin-film vapor liquid solid (TF-VLS) grown InP solar cell through combined device and circuit model for interpreting photoluminescence (PL) image; 3) establishing optic-electric-thermal coupled framework to assess and compare the passive cooling effect for Silicon CPV devices that employ porous soda-lime glass radiative cooler and conventional copper cooler respectively; 4) Investigating and formulating the analytic solution of the optimal design that minimizes combined optical shadowing loss and electrical resistive loss for two types of bifacial PV devices: a) interdigitated back contact (IBC) Silicon heterojunction (SHJ) solar cells and b) Copper Indium Gallium DiSelenide (CIGSe) solar cell with Al2O3 passivation; and 5) Constructing an Neural Network Autoen- coder (NNA) that compresses and reconstructs the J-V characteristics obtained from TCAD simulation and literature for rapid screening and automated classification.

Building metal nanomaterials with tailored electrical properties is in high demand for electronic device fabrication. However, scalable and inexpensive fabrication of such metallic structures with nanometer precision remains a challenge. DNA origami is a versatile and robust self-assembly method which allows fabrication of arbitrary structures at the nanoscale. In this thesis, DNA origami templated metal nanostructure fabrication method is introduced. Continuous metal nanostructures with controlled geometry as well as the selective deposition of multi-nanomaterials (metals and semiconductors) at specific sites on origami templates play an im-portant role in the fabrication of DNA based nanoelectronics system. A mold DNA origami with quadratic cross-section was constructed and used as template for the gold nanoparticles metal growth. Each individual mold element acted as a lego-brick in this modular mold system. (1) Linear metallic nanostructures with controlled length and programmable patterns were fabricat-ed at superior yields by systematically investigating the interface of each mold element. (2) A versatile fabrication modular mold platform for metallic nanostructures with complex shapes was further developed by integrating particular molds with different diameters, additional dock-ing sites, and junctions. Caged metal nanostructures, constrained gold growth and branched structures with extensions in two dimensions were successfully realized. (3) Micrometer long, homogeneous and continuous gold nanowires were obtained with exceeding quality. Using elec-tron-beam lithography and low-temperature conductance measurements, ohmic behavior of such nanowires were observed, confirming metallic conductive property. (4) A method for the synthesis and DNA functionalization of semiconducting nanorods was established. Metal-semiconductor heterostructures were fabricated based on the modular mold system. Semicon-ducting nanorods, as well as gold nanoparticles, were placed at defined positions on the DNA modular platform and a direct metal-semiconductor interface was achieved after the electroless metal deposition. (5) An improved and optimized metallization of DNA origami templated gold nanowires were further developed to increase the conductivity performance. Various reaction parameters were investigated and the obtained gold nanowires with a reduced number of AuNPs achieved an anisotropic growth. This developed DNA origami template mold modular platform addresses the size, pattern, and geometry controls over the metallic nanostructures. For the ap-plication prospect, the conductivity of such metallic nanostructures and controlled placement of different nanomaterials enable an important step towards the nanodevices and systems fabrica-tion based on DNA. / Der Aufbau metallischer Nanomaterialien mit angepassten elektrischen Eigenschaften ist für die Verwendung in elektronischen Bauteilen von großer Bedeutung. Dabei ist die skalierbare und günstige Herstellung metallischer Strukturen im Nanometerbereich weiterhin eine Herausforderung. Die DNA Origami Technik bietet hier eine vielseitig einsetzbare und stabile Methode zur Selbstassemblierung, welche die Herstellung beliebiger nanoskalierter Strukturen ermöglicht. In dieser Arbeit wird ein neuer Ansatz zur Herstellung metallischer Nanostrukturen mit Hilfe von DNA Origami Templaten vorgestellt. Kontinuierliche Metallnanostrukturen mit einer definierten Geometrie, sowie die selektive Anbindung verschiedener Nanomaterialien (Metalle und Halbleiter) an spezifischen Anbindungsstellen des Origamitemplates spielen eine wichtige Rolle bei der Herstellung DNA basierter nanoelektrischer Systeme. Ein DNA Origami Mold mit einem quadratischen Querschnitt wurde als Templat für die Metallisierung von Goldnanopartikeln verwendet. Das legostein-artige Design der einzelnen Origami Molds ermöglicht die Assemblierung in einem modularen System. (1) Lineare metallische Nanostrukturen mit kontrollierter Länge und programmierbarem Muster wurden mit hohen Ausbeuten assembliert, indem das Interface der einzelnen Origamistrukturen systematisch untersucht wurde. (2) Weiterhin wurde eine vielseitige, sowie modulare Plattform für metallische Nanostrukturen mit komplexen Formen entwickelt. Dabei wurden spezielle Origamistrukturen mit unterschiedlichem Durchmesser, sowie zusätzlichen Anbindungsstellen und Verzweigungen integriert. Die erfolgreiche Metallisierung linearer und verzweigter Nanostrukturen in zwei Dimensionen wurde durch ein restriktives Goldwachstum im Inneren der Origamistrukturen realisiert. (3) Homogene und kontinuierliche Goldnanodrähte mit Mikrometerlänge und außerordentlicher Qualität wurden fabriziert. Mit Hilfe von Elektronenstrahllithographie wurde die Leitfähigkeit der Strukturen im Niedrigtemperaturbereich untersucht, wobei ein ohmsches Ladungstransportverhalten der Nanodrähte nachgewiesen werden konnte, welches die metallische Leitfähigkeit der Strukturen bestätigte. (4) Eine Methode zur Synthese und DNA Funktionalisierung von Halbleiternanostäbchen wurde eingeführt. Zudem konnten Metall-Halbleiterheterostrukturen hergestellt werden, basierend auf dem entworfenen modularen Origamisystem. Halbleiternanostäbchen und Goldnanopartikel wurden an definierten Positionen der DNA Origami platziert. Durch eine anschließende Metallisierung konnte ein direktes Metall-Halbleiterinterface hergestellt werden. (5) Eine verbesserte und optimierte Metallisierung der DNA Origami basierten Goldnanodrähte zur Erhöhung der Leitfähigkeit wurde entwickelt. Dazu wurden verschiedene Reaktionsparameter optimiert, so dass ein anisotropes Wachstum mit einer reduzierten Anzahl von Goldnanopartikel ermöglicht werden konnte. Die, in dieser Arbeit entwickelte DNA Origami Plattform ermöglicht die Kontrolle über Größe, Struktur und Geometrie metallischer Nanostrukturen. Die ohmsche Leitfähigkeit dieser Nanostrukturen und die zusätzliche Assemblierung verschiedener Nanomaterialien stellen dabei einen wichtigen Schritt für eine potentielle Verwendung in elektrischen Nanogeräten dar.

<p>Probabilistic computing has been proposed as an attractive alternative for bridging the computational gap between the classical computers of today and the quantum computers of tomorrow. It offers to accelerate the solution to many combinatorial optimization and machine learning problems of interest today, motivating the development of dedicated hardware. Similar to the ‘bit’ of classical computing or ‘q-bit’ of quantum computing, probabilistic bit or ‘p-bit’ serve as a fundamental building-block for probabilistic hardware. p-bits are robust classical quantities, fluctuating rapidly between its two states, envisioned as three-terminal devices with a stochastic output controlled by its input. It is possible to implement fast and efficient hardware p-bits by modifying the present day magnetic random access memory (MRAM) technology. In this dissertation, we evaluate the design and performance of low-barrier magnet (LBM) based p-bit realizations.<br> </p> <p>LBMs can be realized from perpendicular magnets designed to be close to the in-plane transition or from circular in-plane magnets. Magnetic tunnel junctions (MTJs) built using these LBMs as free layers can be integrated with standard transistors to implement the three-terminal p-bit units. A crucial parameter that determines the response of these devices is the correlation-time of magnetization. We show that for magnets with low energy barriers (Δ ≤ k_BT) the circular disk magnets with in-plane magnetic anisotropy (IMA) can lead to correlation-times in <i>sub-ns</i> timescales; two orders of magnitude smaller compared to magnets having perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA). We show that this striking difference is due to a novel precession-like fluctuation mechanism that is enabled by the large demagnetization field in mono-domain circular disk magnets. Our predictions on fast fluctuations in LBM magnets have recently received experimental confirmation as well.<br></p> <p>We provide a detailed energy-delay performance evaluation of the stochastic MTJ (s-MTJ) based p-bit hardware. We analyze the hardware using benchmarked SPICE multi-physics modules and classify the necessary and sufficient conditions for designing them. We connect our device performance analysis to systems-level metrics by emphasizing problem and substrate independent figures-of-merit such as flips per second and dissipated energy per flip that can be used to classify probabilistic hardware. </p>

No description available.

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are promising nanomaterials for high frequency applications due to their unique physical characteristics. CNTs have a low heat capacity, low intrinsic capacitance, and incredibly fast thermal time constants. They can also exhibit ballistic transport at low bias, for both phonons and electrons, as evident by their fairly long mean free paths. However, despite the great potential they present, the RF behavior of these nanostructures is not completely understood. In order to explore this high frequency regime we studied the microwave (MW) and terahertz (THz) response of individual and bundled single wall nanotube based devices. This thesis is an experimental study which attempts to understand the high frequency characteristics of metallic single walled carbon nanotubes, and to develop an ultra-fast and sensitive direct THz detector. First, the appropriate high frequency detector background is introduced. CNTs previously measured behavior draws similarities to two types of detectors: diode and bolometer. Therefore, our CNT devices are geared towards those designs. Second the fabrication process of devices is reviewed. UV lithography is used to pattern THz coupling log periodic antennas, on top of which CNTs are deposited by using a dielectrophoretic process. Third, the fabricated devices are tested at DC, MW, and THz frequencies. All of these measurements are done as a function of temperature, power, and frequency. Finally, the physical processes that give rise to the diode and bolometric detections at MW and THz detection at different temperatures and under different bias regimes (i.e. low and high) are explained.