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Functional nanoscale electronic devices assembled using silicon nanowire building blocks
1Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology and, Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
Science (New York, N.Y.)
|February 7, 2001
Summary
Researchers assembled nanoscale electronic devices using silicon nanowires. These building blocks enabled the creation of diodes, transistors, and inverters, paving the way for simplified electronics manufacturing.
Area of Science:
- Nanotechnology
- Materials Science
- Electronics Engineering
Background:
- Semiconductor nanowires possess unique electronic properties enabling electron and hole transport.
- Nanoscale electronics offer potential for miniaturization and reduced fabrication complexity.
- Current electronics manufacturing often relies on complex and expensive fabrication facilities.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate the use of silicon nanowires as building blocks for nanoscale electronic devices.
- To investigate the electrical characteristics of nanodevices assembled from nanowires.
- To explore a "bottom-up" approach for electronics manufacturing.
Main Methods:
- Boron- and phosphorous-doped silicon nanowires were synthesized and utilized as fundamental components.
- Three types of nanodevices were assembled: passive diodes, active bipolar transistors, and complementary inverters.
- Electrical transport properties of the assembled nanodevices were characterized.
Main Results:
- Passive diode structures exhibited rectifying transport characteristics, analogous to planar p-n junctions.
- Active bipolar transistors demonstrated significant current gains (common base gain up to 0.94, emitter gain up to 16).
- Complementary inverter-like structures were successfully assembled using p- and n-type nanowires.
Conclusions:
- Facile assembly of essential electronic device elements from well-defined nanowire building blocks is achievable.
- This bottom-up approach offers a promising alternative to traditional top-down electronics fabrication.
- Silicon nanowires serve as versatile components for constructing diverse nanoscale semiconductor devices.
