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Experimental Transistor Breaks 600 Gigahertz

Posted by timothy on from the dang-that's-fast dept.

neutron_p writes "The goal of a terahertz transistor for high-speed computing and communications applications could now be within reach. A new type of transistor structure, invented by scientists at the University of Illinois, has broken the 600 gigahertz speed barrier. A new type of transistor - built from indium phosphide and indium gallium arsenide - is designed with a compositionally graded collector, base and emitter to reduce transit time and improve current density. With their pseudomorphic heterojunction bipolar transistor, the researchers have demonstrated a speed of 604 gigahertz - the fastest transistor operation to date."

6 of 381 comments (clear)

  1. huh by moonbender · · Score: 5, Funny

    their pseudomorphic heterojunction bipolar transistor

    *blank stare*

    What now? It's pronounced nu-cu-lar!

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    1. Re:huh by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      pseudomorphic heterojunction bipolar transistor

      [sarcasm]
      Thank GOD they got this one right! If they would have invented a pseudomorphic homojunction bipolar transistor, the right-wing would have gotten pissed.*
      [/sarcasm]

      *If you're offended by the above, bugger off.

  2. Bipolar? by TripMaster+Monkey · · Score: 5, Funny
    From the article:

    With their pseudomorphic heterojunction bipolar transistor, the researchers have demonstrated a speed of 604 gigahertz - the fastest transistor operation to date.


    Sure...it's fast now, but just wait until it goes into its depressive phase...
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  3. Terahertz transistor within reach? by isd_glory · · Score: 5, Funny

    Yeah, because after the first 600 GHz, the next 400 GHz are a piece of cake.

  4. Longhorn by faqmaster · · Score: 5, Funny

    Just in time for Longhorn!

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  5. Re:Transistor Breaks 600 Gigahertz by sentientbeing · · Score: 5, Funny

    Terahertz transistors, indium phosphides, indium gallium arsenide, compositionally graded collectors, bases and emitters, reduced transit time and improved current density... And a pseudomorphic heterojunction bipolar transistor with speeds of 604 gigahertz.....

    At times like this I like to leave a slashdot page open on articles and walk away from my computer.

    Anybody walking past my computer looks at the screen and thinks 'JESUS! How clever is that guy?'

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