Energy Dissipation and Transport in Nanoscale Devices

TL;DR

This review summarizes recent advances in understanding energy dissipation and transport mechanisms in nanoscale solid-state devices, highlighting their implications for energy-efficient technology and fundamental physics.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive overview of recent progress in energy transport and dissipation in various nanoscale structures and devices, integrating concepts of thermal and electrical conduction.

Findings

Survey of power usage from transistors to data centers

Analysis of energy dissipation in silicon transistors and nanostructures

Review of thermal transport and recent research directions

Abstract

Understanding energy dissipation and transport in nanoscale structures is of great importance for the design of energy-efficient circuits and energy-conversion systems. This is also a rich domain for fundamental discoveries at the intersection of electron, lattice (phonon), and optical (photon) interactions. This review presents recent progress in understanding and manipulation of energy dissipation and transport in nanoscale solid-state structures. First, the landscape of power usage from nanoscale transistors (~10^-8 W) to massive data centers (~10^9 W) is surveyed. Then, focus is given to energy dissipation in nanoscale circuits, silicon transistors, carbon nanostructures, and semiconductor nanowires. Concepts of steady-state and transient thermal transport are also reviewed in the context of nanoscale devices with sub-nanosecond switching times. Finally, recent directions regarding energy transport are reviewed, including electrical and thermal conductivity of nanostructures, thermal rectification, and the role of ubiquitous material interfaces.