Project

Access to European Infrastructure for Nanoelectronics

Acronym
ASCENTPlus
Code
41U04520
Duration
01 September 2020 → 31 August 2024
Funding
European funding: framework programme
Research disciplines
  • Engineering and technology
    • Analogue, RF and mixed signal integrated circuits
    • Digital integrated circuits
    • Semiconductor devices, nanoelectronics and technology
    • Nanoelectronics
Keywords
nanofabrication beyond CMOS advanced memories finFETs 3D-SOI 3D integration electrical characterization 2D materials quantum dots
Other information
 
Project description

Advancing and broadening the first ASCENT programme, ASCENT+ will integrate additional key European infrastructures to
address emerging research challenges in Nanoelectronics and enable a smooth consistent transition of the European
industry to a new era. At present academic researchers and technologists struggle to develop industry-relevant disruptive
technologies as there is limited access to state-of-the-art processing, modelling/data sets, metrology/characterisation, and
devices/test structures for Nanoelectronics. Through the Single Entry Point and a user-focussed Access Interface, ASCENT
+ integrates a unique research infrastructure of more than €2.5bn investment to offer these enabling capabilities to its users.
ASCENT+ includes academic partners to advance the offering over the lifetime of this second Advanced Community phase,
and also an extended network of over 3,700 members through partner research and industry cluster organisations. This will
allow ASCENT+ to mobilise a critical mass of people, knowledge and investment to entrench an unprecedented integration
within the community. This will service a much wider user base and foster innovation by linking new scientific knowledge in
Nanoelectronics with challenge-driven research. European and global foresight studies have indicated that the next era is
driven by the need to achieve: (i) quantum advantage using solid-state platforms; (ii) low-power, energy-efficient, highperformance
computing based on disruptive devices; and (iii) increased functionality through advanced integration of a
diverse range of materials and innovative technologies. ASCENT+ will enable and stimulate its user community to bridge the
gap between scientific exploration and development of proof-of-concept technologies to accelerate innovation pathfinding.
ASCENT+ presents a unique opportunity for Europe to regain global leadership in Nanoelelectronics at a pivotal time where
traditional scaling is coming to an end.

 
Role of Ghent University
Together with imec and other partners, UGent will work towards the enhancement of the offer of GaN-on-SOI samples and GaN-IC circuit design by developing new models for the GaN power devices, by optimizing device design and layout, and also by driving the development of test structures and test wafer design. The various outputs, including new derived models and library devices will be included in the Process Design Kits (PDKs) offered to the user community by imec.
 
 
Disclaimer
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Research Executive Agency (REA). Neither the European Union nor the authority can be held responsible for them.