Single-Conductor Transmission-Line Model of Multiwall Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

The equivalent single-conductor model of a multiwall carbon nanotube (MWCNT) interconnect is derived analytically from the rigorous formulation of the complex multiconductor transmission-line propagation equations. The expressions of the per-unit-length (p.u.l.) equivalent quantum capacitance and kinetic inductance are obtained in closed form. A new accurate approximated expression of the equivalent p.u.l. quantum capacitance is proposed. It is demonstrated, through analytical derivations and numerical calculations, that the new expression is valid for the most of MWCNT interconnect configurations, whereas a more simplified formula, obtained on the basis of qualitative considerations, produces high approximation errors. The proposed model is solved in both the frequency and time domains. Transient analyses are performed in order to predict the attenuation and time delay of a pulse signal transmitted along an MWCNT as a function of the tube length and number of shells. Simulation results are also compared with measured data available in literature.