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An organic thyristor
1Department of Applied Physics, Waseda University, Tokyo 169-8555, Japan.
Nature
|September 24, 2005
Summary
Researchers discovered a giant nonlinear resistance effect in a novel organic electronic device. This organic thyristor functions as an inverter, converting direct current to alternating current, offering new possibilities for electronic applications.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Materials Science
- Organic Electronics
Background:
- Thyristors are nonlinear electronic devices with bistable resistance, crucial for inverters and power control.
- Nonlinear resistance materials are vital for practical electronics and fundamental physics research.
- Conventional thyristors rely on p-n junction interface effects for their nonlinear behavior.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report the discovery of a giant nonlinear resistance effect in a conducting organic salt.
- To characterize the voltage-current properties of this organic material.
- To explore the potential of organic materials as intrinsic thyristors.
Main Methods:
- Investigated the conducting organic salt theta-(BEDT-TTF)2CsCo(SCN)4.
- Analyzed the voltage-current characteristics of the material.
- Compared the observed nonlinear resistance to conventional thyristors.
Main Results:
- The organic salt theta-(BEDT-TTF)2CsCo(SCN)4 exhibits a giant nonlinear resistance effect.
- Its voltage-current characteristics mimic those of a conventional thyristor.
- The material functions as an intrinsic organic thyristor, acting as a direct-to-alternating current converter.
Conclusions:
- The discovered organic material demonstrates thyristor-like behavior as a bulk phenomenon, not reliant on p-n junctions.
- The effect is attributed to the current-induced melting of insulating charge-order domains.
- This finding opens avenues for novel organic electronic devices and fundamental physics studies.
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