For the last 13 years, Hector De Los Santos has worked to develop a transformative new model for computing. He draws on the special properties of plasmons, or charge disturbances that move with electromagnetic waves. Haigh’s journey into developing this technology began back in 2009 when he noticed the shortcomings of current CMOS logic technologies. The traditional approaches to computing, rooted in current flows, are hitting roadblocks as device size scales down, resulting in an acceleration of energy dissipation. In 2024, De Los Santos collaborated with researchers from the University of South Carolina, Ohio State University, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Working in tandem, they were able to produce an encoder that demonstrates the fundamental workings of plasmon-based logic.
The new Y junction device is only around five square microns in size. It’s remarkable that with just one plasmon, it can control the other plasmon so well! This power innovation has potential to transform the whole logic device paradigm. It unlocks new computing paradigms that are significantly faster and more energy-efficient. De Los Santos believes that overcoming the barriers posed by traditional logic devices is crucial for future advancements in technology.
The Challenge of Traditional Logic Devices
Hector De Los Santos identifies a significant hurdle in transitioning to plasmon-based computing: the entrenched paradigm of logic devices that relies on current flows. He underscored that the biggest difficulty is that the technology just isn’t compatible with today’s logical devices, based on current flows. This disconnect creates major obstacles for progress. This movement in the direction of wave flows represents a considerable change requiring new ways of thinking. For those accustomed to older computing models, this will be a difficult transition.
As we make devices smaller and smaller, energy dissipation becomes a barrier that cannot be breached. According to de los Santos, the finite-state downscaling paradigm of CMOS technology has led to power dissipation problems. These issues are a result of quantum mechanical effects and leakage. He argues that taking this paradigm to its logical end point uncovers a really interesting idea. As device sizes shrink, quantum mechanical effects begin to kick in. This unexpected finding inspired him to think outside the box, a process that ultimately resulted in his groundbreaking work on plasmon computing.
Though there are challenges inherent in any paradigm shift, De Los Santos remains hopeful for plasmon devices. He cautions that it’s only through interdisciplinary knowledge that we can hope to fully grasp these concepts. Metal-oxide-semiconductor physics, electromagnetic waves, and quantum field theory converge to create an intimidatingly complex, not to mention expensive, bedrock. It’s this latter integration that has exciting promise for future developments.
Demonstrating Plasmon Control
In 2024, De Los Santos and his fellow artists accomplished a huge feat. With active crystal, they built a platform to demonstrate the interaction between two plasmons. This novel breakthrough demonstrates the feasibility of plasmon-based logic devices. Specifically, it shows first how one plasmon can control another plasmon in an entirely novel mechanism. The Y junction device operates under direct current (DC) voltage. This voltage is induced by applying RF voltage between the metal structure to be tested and the ground plane. This arrangement gives rise to a very quiescent sea of electrons. Consequently, the controlling plasmon can funnel the incoming plasmon into one of the Y junction’s legs.
De Los Santos characterizes this process as “very high speed and very low power relative to what’s out there today.” He mentions, for instance, that it requires only minimal energy—principally in the attoJoule range—to produce a plasmon disturbance. In addition, plasmons can travel at light-like speeds in their respective materials, enabling ultra-fast processing of information.
The current device should be seen as a starting point and a model for future development. De Los Santos is making strides to produce a multifunctional device, a double control plasmons. This achievement will dramatically increase the device’s capability and uses in computing. He articulates his vision: “I demonstrated the partial device, that is just the interaction of two plasmons. The next step would be to demonstrate and fabricate the full device.”
Future Aspirations and Implications
Hector De Los Santos has a big dream for the Windy City. He intends to link different plasmon devices together to create key components of computing logic, such as full adders. Such innovations may enable future generations of logic devices with order‐of‐magnitude improved performance metrics. He is still dedicated to getting his research in digestible formats and has the goal of shepherding and supporting the sponsorship and development of more robust works.
De Los Santos admits that there aren’t any major fabrication constraints. As he acknowledges, understanding the interdisciplinary nature of what’s involved with plasmon-based computing is its own obstacle to tackle. He emphasizes the need for cooperation between disciplines in order to spur creativity in the field.
“Getting people to sponsor the work, and to understand it is a challenge, not really the implementation.” – Hector De Los Santos