Liquid nitrogen CMOS for computer applications

Past and present development in the field of operating microelectronic computer circuits at liquid nitrogen temperature (LNT) are reviewed. To assess the potential of this technology, its advantages and disadvantages are discussed. The fact that devices and materials behave generically better at low temperature will have some bearing on the ultimate attainable technology limits. The optimized complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) system advantages at LNT are analyzed. The basic conclusion is that the liquid nitrogen CMOS (LNCMOS) is a viable system technology for commercial and military computer systems.< >