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Physical Measurement Laboratory /Nanoscale Device Characterization Division

Alternative Computing Group

The Alternative Computing Group has two areas of research in future electronics for information processing. Click on the links below for more information.

Hardware for Artificial Intelligence
Hardware for Artificial Intelligence
Electronic Device Measurements
Electronic Device Measurements

The Alternative Computing Group conducts wide ranging, cross-disciplinary research focusing on innovative measurement science in nanotechnology with an emphasis on applications in future electronics and information processing.  The Group’s current expertise includes measurements and theory for emerging neuromorphic devices and architectures, theory of magnetism and electronic structure, laser-based atom manipulation, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy.  These capabilities are put to use in research programs that support development of new paradigms in nanoelectronics and computing, examining such areas as resistive switching-based neuromorphic processing, spintronic and other nanomagnetic devices, focused ion beam imaging and fabrication, and device metrology including atomic scale defect detection.

News and Updates

Projects and Programs

Custom-built wafer level probes in position to perform EDMR measurements on fully processed transistors.

Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy

Ongoing
The Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy Project strives to be at the forefront of understanding the roles that critical atomic-scale defects play in determining
EBIC Current

Neuromorphic Device Measurements

Ongoing
Neuromorphic computing is a radical new approach to information processing for artificial intelligence where, instead of using digital electronics, inspiration
schematic of the MOTIS ion beam source

Novel Sources for Focused-ion Beams

Ongoing
Focused beams of ions have a wide range of uses, from nanoscale imaging to the fabrication of nanomaterials. We are developing novel cold-atom based ion sources

Publications

Neural networks three ways: unlocking novel computing schemes using magnetic tunnel junction stochasticity

Author(s)
Matthew Daniels, William Borders, Nitin Prasad, Advait Madhavan, Sidra Gibeault, Temitayo Adeyeye, Liam Pocher, Lei Wan, Michael Tran, Jordan Katine, Daniel Lathrop, Brian Hoskins, Tiffany Santos, Patrick Braganca, Mark Stiles, Jabez J. McClelland
Due to their interesting physical properties, myriad operational regimes, small size, and industrial fabrication maturity, magnetic tunnel junctions are

Characterization of Noise in CMOS Ring Oscillators at Cryogenic Temperatures

Author(s)
Prashansa Mukim, Pragya Shrestha, Advait Madhavan, Nitin Prasad, Jason Campbell, Forrest Brewer, Mark Stiles, Jabez J. McClelland
Allan deviation provides a means to characterize the time-dependence of noise in oscillators and potentially identify the source characteristics. Measurements

Awards

Press Coverage

A dense grid of purple, blue and red lines on a square platform.

NIST, Google announce chip R&D partnership

FCW
The National Institute of Standards and Technology entered into a new agreement with search engine behemoth Google to help manufacture more chip technology that

Contacts

Group Leader