New Electron-Waveguide-Base Modeling for Carbon Nanotube Interconnects

The equivalent single-conductor model of a multi- wall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) interconnect is derived analyti- cally from the rigorous formulation of the complex multiconduc- tor transmission-line propagation equations. The expressions of the per-unit-length (p.u.l.) equivalent quantum capacitance and kinetic inductance are obtained in closed form. A new accurate approximated expression of the equivalent p.u.l. quantum capac- itance is proposed. It is demonstrated, through analytical deriva- tions and numerical calculations, that the new expression is valid for the most of MWCNT interconnect con?gurations, whereas a more simpli?ed formula, obtained on the basis of qualitative con- siderations, produces high approximation errors. The proposed model is solved in both the frequency and time domains. Transient analyses are performed in order to predict the attenuation and time delay of a pulse signal transmitted along an MWCNT as a function of the tube length and number of shells. Simulation results are also compared with measured data available in literature.