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Switching of BJT

Switching of BJT

Switching behavior in Bipolar Junction Transistors (BJTs) is a fundamental aspect utilized in various electronic circuits, particularly for digital logic applications like switches and amplifiers. In a typical switching circuit, a BJT alternates between cut-off and saturation modes, corresponding to the "off" and "on" states, respectively, thus behaving like an ideal switch.
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Electric-field Control of Electronic States in WS2 Nanodevices by Electrolyte Gating

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Mechanically controlled binary conductance switching of a single-molecule junction.

Su Ying Quek¹, Maria Kamenetska, Michael L Steigerwald

¹Molecular Foundry, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, California 94720, USA.

Nature Nanotechnology

|April 8, 2009

Summary

Researchers demonstrate a new way to switch single-molecule junctions on and off using mechanical force. This discovery could lead to novel, mechanically controlled nanoscale electronic switches.

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Area of Science:

* Nanotechnology
* Molecular electronics
* Materials science

Background:

* Molecular-scale components are key for future nanoscale electronic devices.
* Previous single-molecule switching relied on molecular conformation or charge state changes.
* Atomic quantum point contacts have shown molecular-scale switching.

Purpose of the Study:

* To demonstrate reversible binary switching in single-molecule junctions via mechanical control.
* To investigate the role of metal-molecule contact geometry in switching behavior.
* To explore the potential of pyridine-gold links for mechanically activated switches.

Main Methods:

* Fabrication and measurement of 4,4'-bipyridine-gold single-molecule junctions.
* Application of mechanical force (elongation and compression) to control junction geometry.
* First-principles calculations to model conductance states and contact geometries.

Main Results:

* Demonstrated reversible binary switching between two conductance states in single-molecule junctions.
* Identified distinct conductance states correlated with specific nitrogen-gold bond geometries.
* Observed low conductance when the N-Au bond is perpendicular to the pi-system, and high conductance otherwise.

Conclusions:

* Mechanical control of metal-molecule contact geometry enables reliable single-molecule switching.
* The pyridine-gold linkage provides a mechanism for inherent mechanical switching.
* This mechanism offers a foundation for developing new classes of mechanically activated single-molecule switches.