On the afternoon of March 11, 2025, a seminar titled “The Road to Gate-All-Around and Its Impact on Analog Design” was successfully held at the Institute of Information Technology, Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU-ITI). The event gathered over 50 experts, researchers, and students in the field of semiconductors and integrated circuits. A highlight of the seminar was the keynote speech by Alvin Loke, a leading expert from Intel, Silicon Valley, USA, who shared deep insights into the latest transistor technology trends.
In his lecture, Alvin Loke took attendees on a journey through the evolution of transistor technology, from traditional MOSFETs to FinFETs and now Gate-All-Around (GAA). As semiconductor technology continues to advance, GAA is emerging as an optimal solution for enhancing transistor performance and density at 2nm and beyond.
Beyond theoretical concepts, Loke delved into the challenges that analog circuit design faces as CMOS technology scales down. He emphasized that while FinFET has provided significant performance improvements, transitioning to GAA requires substantial changes in circuit design, particularly for analog and mixed-signal systems. Issues such as noise, parasitic capacitance, and current management pose major challenges that circuit designers will need to address in the coming years.
Additionally, Loke introduced nanoribbon/nanosheet technology, the core foundation of the GAA architecture, which enhances performance while maintaining superior current control compared to FinFET. He also highlighted heterogeneous integration as a crucial strategy to leverage the benefits of the new technology, enabling high-performance semiconductor systems while optimizing production costs.
The seminar provided not only an opportunity to gain cutting-edge knowledge but also a platform for researchers, lecturers, and students to engage in direct discussions with an industry expert. Many questions were raised regarding the potential application of GAA technology in Vietnam’s semiconductor industry, as well as emerging trends in the global semiconductor sector. A graduate student who attended the event commented: “This seminar gave me a clearer understanding of the challenges and opportunities that Gate-All-Around technology presents. The insights shared are essential for anyone pursuing a career in IC design.”
With over 20 years of experience in the semiconductor industry, Alvin Loke not only provided in-depth technical knowledge but also offered practical perspectives on industry developments. Currently, he is a Senior Principal Engineer at Intel, San Diego, and an active member of the IEEE Solid-State Circuits Society (SSCS). He has authored more than 70 scientific publications and was recently honored with the ISSCC 2024 Outstanding Forum Speaker Award for his outstanding contributions to research and education.
This event left a significant impact, fostering connections between Vietnam’s semiconductor research community and international experts. As semiconductor technology continues to play an increasingly critical role in modern industries, seminars like this not only provide updated knowledge but also open up opportunities for collaboration and future growth.
