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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.

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