Chuck Cimino, Director of Product Management, Lake Shore Cryotronics

In 2025, I expect progress on nanomaterial-based, two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor transistors, which will become commercialized in the next 5 to 10 years. 2D transistors can have thicknesses less than 1 nm with very low leakage current. They have exceptional gate controllability, allowing scaling of gate lengths smaller than the silicon scaling limit of 12 nm.

Prototype 2D transistors outperform conventional transistors, offering smaller size, and requiring lower power and lower operating voltage. Currently, the major semiconductor fabricators are working on developing the industrialization processes for 2D semiconductors. They promise to extend Moore's Law into the future.

One challenge in working with 2D devices is testing. The fabs have sensitive test equipment, but device designers may have difficulty characterizing 2D devices because the signals of interest are down in the noise. End users who need to qualify and validate these devices will need a new breed of test equipment made to extract signals from the noise.

Companies like Lake Shore Cryotronics that specialize in sensitive measurement instruments for researchers must create practical solutions for device designers and end users. Without proper test equipment, the industry can't move forward.