Issue link: https://iconnect007.uberflip.com/i/1526407
34 DESIGN007 MAGAZINE I SEPTEMBER 2024 Yes, the convergence of PCB and IC design is already underway and will continue to grow and evolve. is convergence is driven by the need for tighter integration between differ- ent components and systems. e boundaries between IC design and PCB design are blur- ring as packaging technologies evolve and as the industry moves away from single IC sys- tems-on-chip (SoC) into multi die/chiplets 2.5/3D heterogeneously integrated systems- in-package (SiP) solutions. is convergence is facilitated by: • Integrated design tools: EDA companies are developing tools that allow for seam- less co-design and co-simulation of ICs, packages, and PCBs. • Cross-disciplinary skills: Engineers are increasingly expected to have knowledge across multiple domains and understand silicon, package, and system-level challenges. • Collaborative design processes: Com- panies are fostering environments where IC designers, package designers, and PCB designers work closely together from the initial concept to final product. Is there anything else you'd like to add? As the electronics industry continues to push the boundaries of performance and miniatur- ization, the importance of a comprehensive approach that spans silicon to systems cannot be overstated. e future will demand even greater collaboration across the entire supply chain, from semiconductor manufacturers to PCB fabricators, and this will be supported by advanced EDA tools that include ML, AI, and cloud-based connectivity, along with a strong emphasis on education and cross-train- ing for engineers. Embracing these changes will be key to maintaining innovation and competitiveness in the rapidly evolving tech landscape. DESIGN007 Stephen V. Chavez is senior product marketing manager at Siemens. A team of scientists from the Department of Energy's SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory has uncovered new information about the photoelectric effect, a phenomenon first described by Einstein over a century ago. Their method provides a new tool to study electron-electron interactions, which are fundamental to many technologies, including semiconductors and solar cells. The results were published August 21 in Nature. When an atom or molecule absorbs a photon of light, it can emit an electron in a process known as the photoelectric effect. Einstein's description of the photoelectric effect, also known as photoionization, laid the theoretical foundation for quantum mechan- ics. However, the instantaneous nature of this effect has been a topic of intense study and debate. "Einstein won the Nobel Prize for describing the photoelectric effect, but a hundred years later, we've only just begun to truly understand the under- lying dynamics," said lead author and SLAC scientist Taran Driver. The photoemission delay can be thought of as the time between a molecule absorbing a photon and emitting an electron. These delays, reaching up to 700 attoseconds, were significantly larger than previously predicted, challenging existing theoreti- cal models and opening new avenues for under- standing electron behavior. (Source: SLAC) Scientists Use Attosecond X-Ray Pulses to Shed New Light on Photoelectric Effect