The Device Technology Working Group addressed three areas of device technology: semiconductor, optical, and superconductive. The working group explored the three device technologies with respect to current state-of-the-art trends in research and development, projections about device capabilities by the year 2014, and barriers and obstacles to achieving the requisite performance levels for PetaFLOPS computing.
The feasibility of a PetaFLOPS machine depends on the availability of high-performance processor and memory devices. Assuming some focused research initiatives, projections of future semiconductor device technologies indicate that PetaFLOPS computing machines can be supported. In addition, where feasible the group developed specific recommendations about research and development areas that need new or enhanced funding and direction.