Electromagnetic models for metallic carbon nanotube interconnects

PurposeTo investigate the possible application of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) as interconnects and antennas.Design/methodology/approachAn electromagnetic macroscopic modelling of CNT is derived. The conduction electrons of the nanotube are considered as a 2D fluid moving on the surface representing the positive ion lattice. The linearized Euler's equation describing the fluid motion is used as a macroscopic constitutive relationship to be coupled to Maxwell's equation. A surface integral formulation coupled to the fluid model is solved numerically using a finite element method. For peculiar configurations, transmission line‐like parameters of CNTs are derived.FindingsSingle wall CNT interconnects, due to the high resistance and characteristic impedance with respect to ideally scaled silicon technology, should be used in arrays and bundles.Research limitations/implicationsOnly single wall CNTs are considered.Originality/valueThe paper present a novel approach to CNTs and provides a comparison among the behaviour of CNTs with respect to ideally‐scaled silicon technology.