What Is Moore’s Law?
Moore’s Law is the observation that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles about every two years, leading to exponential growth in computing power. The law was first suggested by Gordon Moore, the cofounder of Fairchild Semiconductor and Intel.
It is not an actual law of physics, but rather a trend that has held for decades. This trend has driven major advancements in computing technology, making computers smaller, faster, cheaper and more powerful.
How Does Moore’s Law Work?
Moore’s Law is based on the ability to cram more and more transistors onto a microchip. Transistors are tiny switches that form the building blocks of all modern electronic devices. By shrinking the size of transistors and fitting more on a chip, engineers can pack more processing power into a smaller space. This miniaturisation also leads to faster and more efficient chips.
The ability to miniaturise transistors is due to advancements in photolithography, the process used to create circuits on a chip. As this technology improves, engineers can create ever-smaller features on the chip.
A classic example of Moore’s Law in action is the evolution of computer processors. In 1971, the Intel 4004 processor contained 2,300 transistors. By 2004, the Intel Pentium 4 processor had over 41 Mn transistors – a nearly 18,000-fold increase in just 33 years.
Is Moore’s Law Still Applicable?
The applicability of Moore’s Law is a subject of debate. While the doubling of transistors every two years does not truly hold in recent times, advancements in chip design and architecture have allowed for continued growth in processing power.
However, physical limitations and economic constraints are likely to slow Moore’s Law significantly in the coming decades. The industry is exploring alternative ways to achieve performance gains, such as using three-dimensional chip designs and new materials.
Will Moore’s Law Continue To Hold In The Long Term?
The future of Moore’s Law future is uncertain. The miniaturisation of transistors, which is fundamental to the law, is reaching physical limitations. Transistors are already incredibly tiny, and it is getting increasingly difficult and expensive to make them even smaller.
However, even if Moore’s Law slows down or ends altogether, technological advancements are likely to continue.
