Superconducting Technology Assessment - nitrd
Superconducting Technology Assessment - nitrd
Superconducting Technology Assessment - nitrd
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Random Access Memory Options<br />
Random access memory (RAM) has been considered the Achilles heel of superconductor logic. The panel identified<br />
three attractive options, in decreasing order of maturity:<br />
18<br />
■ JJ-CMOS RAM.<br />
■ SFQ RAM.<br />
■ RSFQ-MRAM.<br />
To reduce risk, the panel concluded that development should commence for all three at an appropriate level of<br />
investment, with continued funding depending on progress.<br />
Each memory approach offers a different performance level that can be a useful complement to RSFQ processors<br />
for high-end computing. The roadmap sets forth a baseline plan to rapidly mature hybrid JJ-CMOS RAM and continue<br />
development of the other approaches as progress warrants.<br />
Roadmap<br />
The panel defined a roadmap that will demonstrate a 1-million gate RSFQ processor operating at 50 GHz with<br />
supporting cryogenic RAM on a single multi-chip module as a milestone validating the potential for application to<br />
petaflops-scale computing.<br />
Superconductive Chip Manufacture<br />
By 2010 production capability for high-density chips should be achievable by<br />
application of manufacturing technologies and methods similar to those<br />
used in the semiconductor industry.<br />
—————<br />
Yield and manufacturability of known good die should be established and<br />
costs should be understood.<br />
—————<br />
The 2010 capability can be used to produce chips with speeds of 50 GHz or<br />
higher and densities of 1-3 million JJs per cm 2 .<br />
—————<br />
Beyond the 2010 timeframe, if development continues, a production<br />
capability for chips with speeds of 250 GHz and densities comparable with<br />
today’s CMOS is achievable.<br />
—————<br />
Total investment over five-year period: $125 million.<br />
Niobium-based Fabrication<br />
Significant activity in the area of digital superconductive electronics has long existed in the United States, Europe,<br />
and Japan. Over the past 15 years, niobium (Nb)-based integrated circuit fabrication has achieved a high level of<br />
maturity. An advanced process has one JJ layer, four superconducting metal layers, three or four dielectric layers,<br />
one or more resistor layers, and a minimum feature size of ~1 mm.