Intel sheds light on low-power transistors

Intel is working on processors which require one tenth the power of current designs

Researchers at Intel have outlined a new process which could cut the power consumption of transistors.

The company said in a recent posting on its Innovation blog that it had developed a way to make processors with compound semiconductor materials that require less power than traditional transistors.

The company said that the new devices are known as III-V P-channel transistors because they include elements which lie either side of silicon on the periodic table.

Intel said that similar N-channel transistors have been available for roughly a year. By combining the two, the company believes it could construct new CMOS logic circuits which could ultimately lead to processors which require one tenth the power of current designs.

As chipmakers look to adopt smaller fabrication methods and more efficient designs, improving transistors has become an important focus.

The use of Hi-K transistors has become an essential feature for new processors, and researchers continue to explore the possibility of photonics and nanotechnology for future designs.