Why are metallic interconnections commonly used?

Metallic interconnections are widely used in electrical systems because they effectively carry electric current and support information transfer. Here’s why:

Metallic interconnections

I find it fascinating that metallic conductors, like copper and aluminum, are so effective. These metals consist of positively charged ions arranged in a regular lattice, with free electrons moving around this lattice. This arrangement allows the free electrons to travel at high speeds, which is crucial for conducting electricity. However, the electrons move randomly without an overall direction until an electric force field is applied.

Behavior of Electrons

When an electric field is applied to a metallic conductor, the free electrons start to move in one direction. This movement creates an electric current. At very low temperatures, the lattice doesn’t vibrate, so electrons move almost unimpeded. But as the temperature increases, the lattice vibrates more, causing the electrons to collide and creating electrical resistance. This resistance limits the current, which is why Ohm’s Law (V = IR) is fundamental in understanding how electrical circuits work.

CMOS VLSI Design Project list(2024)

We also need to consider that the speed of electromagnetic (EM) waves in conductors is much slower than in air. This is because the electrons reradiate EM waves in all directions, which affects the propagation speed of these waves.

You might also be interested to know that the movement of charge in conductors creates magnetic fields and stores magnetic energy, described by inductance, while localized charge creates electric fields and stores electric energy, described by capacitance. The balance between these energy storage forms and how quickly energy can be transferred affects the performance of transmission lines.

Ultimately, understanding how energy is transferred through conductors and how interruptions can degrade signal integrity is crucial for designing efficient integrated circuits (ICs) that use minimal power. By grasping these concepts, you can better appreciate how electrical systems manage information and energy.