There are gains yet to be realized besides reducing the size of the process. For example, reversible (a.k.a. isentropic or adiabatic) computing offers a way to reduce heat generation, which might combine with 3D construction in interesting ways. New ways of designing chips might allow progress to continue, but they're hard and risky. They're not terribly attractive as long as shrinking the process offers predictable advances and remains economically feasible.
Still, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate how crazy just getting under 10 nm is. The wavelength of light that is visible to the human eye starts at around 380 nm. Looking at a 10 nm chip with violet light would be like trying to navigate your house by sonar using a sub-woofer as your emitter!
Still, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate how crazy just getting under 10 nm is. The wavelength of light that is visible to the human eye starts at around 380 nm. Looking at a 10 nm chip with violet light would be like trying to navigate your house by sonar using a sub-woofer as your emitter!