Carbon nanotube bundle-based low loss integrated inductors

Abstract

In this paper, we propose low loss on-chip inductors for mixed-signal circuits leveraging single-walled carbon nanotube (SWCNT) bundles. We develop a model for the high frequency current re-distribution in SWCNT bundles, which we find can have a large effect on the resistance and quality factor of nanotube-based inductors. We compare the performance of optimized inductors realized using SWCNT bundles and standard copper technology. The results indicate that SWCNT bundle-based inductors can provide up to a 144% increase in quality factor. The higher quality factors of SWCNT bundle-based inductors enable up to an 80% power consumption decrease in low noise amplifiers, which are critical circuits in integrated wireless receivers.