ASCENT offers unparalleled access to European nanoelectronics infrastructure at Tyndall National Institute in Ireland, CEA-Leti in France and imec in Belgium. Funded by the Horizon 2020 Research Infrastructures Programme ASCENT enables the European research community to explore exciting new developments in advanced nanoelectronics and meet the challenges created in an ever-evolving and demanding digital world.
ASCENT provides fast and easy access to the world’s most advanced CMOS technologies and infrastructure including access to 14nm CMOS device data, nanoscale test chips and device characterisation facilities. This is a unique opportunity to share best scientific and technological practices, form a knowledge–innovation hub and enable training for new researchers on advanced technology.
There are three main elements within the programme: the networking activities, the access projects and the Joint Research Activities. The partners have worked very closely together to ensure that all aspects are delivered to the highest standards.
The ASCENT programme has successfully established a new network within the nanoelectronics community based on providing access to world-leading expertise and facilities at Tyndall, imec and CEA-Leti. ASCENT has implemented a very effective communication plan to promote the programme to as wide an audience as possible. This has been done through both electronic communications and face-to-face contact through workshops and presentations at conferences and technical events.
The initial set-up phase was complete within 6 months and the access was opened in November 2015. There was intensive media campaign to launch the programme called the ‘Sign-up’ campaign with widespread coverage of the initial press release. Following on from that all other communication channels such as quarterly newsletters, Twitter, LinkedIn, webinar, videos and the ASCENT and partner websites were used to promote the ASCENT programme. ASCENT has also participated in 54 events since the programme launched, including organising 5 ASCENT Workshops, 2 ‘mini’ workshops, stands at various conferences. A customised research Accelerator Programme for PhD students was run to directly engage with PhD students from across Europe. The goal of every event was to engage with the research community, to build an exciting network and attract users to the programme. This campaign has been a great success and over 400 members have signed up to the ASCENT network from 44 countries.
The partners have established a simple access route and internal access protocols that allow fast and easy access to the three partner sites. All the technology offerings are described on the ASCENT website and IP protection measures are in place. During the programme 166 technical enquiries were received. Each enquiry is dealt with by a technical expert at the partner site. The details of the enquiry are shared with all partners and every assistance is given to ensure the researcher is matched to the best platform available. For Virtual Access (VA) the researchers receive immediate access to the data once they sign the on-line Terms and Conditions. For Transnational Access (TA) the researcher submits a short proposal which is then sent to an independent Selection Panel to decide on what projects get funded. A total of 100 access projects were funded, 41 VA and 59 TA projects. The VA projects access data from imec and CEA-Leti only whereas the TA projects access all three partner sites.
Three Joint Research Activities (JRAs) were successfully completed that looked at developments to improve the access on offer at each partner site. The JRAs looked at 3 key topics to improve device reliability studies at 14nm and below, to standardise how the device data is formatted and to look at new measurement techniques for CMOS devices below 14nm.
In conclusion ASCENT has had a significant impact on the European nanoelectronics research through
• Providing easy access to key national and regional facilities, resources and services in advanced nanoelectronics at a European scale.
• Promoting the advancement of knowledge and technology in balance with exploitation and innovation
• Assembling a ‘critical mass’ of people, knowledge and investment to deliver European leadership in nanoelectronics components and systems.
