Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026
Fine-tuning the Size and Minimizing the Noise of Solid-state Nanopores
Published on: October 31, 2013
Photo-response of a nanopore device with a single embedded ZnO nanoparticle
Linh-Nam Nguyen1, Ming-Chou Lin, Horng-Shyang Chen
1Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan. Department of Engineering and System Science, National TsingHua University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan. Nano Science and Technology Program, Taiwan International Graduate Program, Academia Sinica, Taipei 115, Taiwan.
Abstract:
The photo-response of a ZnO nanoparticle embedded in a nanopore made on a silicon nitride membrane is investigated. The ZnO nanoparticle is manipulated onto the nanopore and sandwiched between aluminum contact electrodes from both the top and bottom. The asymmetric device structure facilitates current-voltage rectification that enables photovoltaic capacity. Under illumination, the device shows open-circuit voltage as well as short-circuit current. The fill factor is found to increase at low temperatures and reaches 48.6% at 100 K. The nanopore structure and the manipulation technique provide a solid platform for exploring the electrical properties of single nanoparticles.
