Carbon nanotubes and graphene: From structural to device properties

Carbon-based electronics demands a radical shift from present day integrated chip (IC) manufacturing techniques, yet it is touted as a potential alternative for microelectronic applications in the post silicon era. This is because one-dimensional graphitic forms of carbon such as nanotubes and graphene possess small or zero band gap, high mobility, light effective mass of charge carriers, and most significantly, ultra-thin bodies which favor superior electrostatic control of the transistor channel. These properties are well aligned with industry’s relentless drive toward smaller operating voltages to reduce power consumption of electronic circuits.