Multi-island single-electron devices from self-assembled colloidal nanocrystal chains

Abstract

We report the fabrication of multi-island single-electron devices made by lithographic contacting of selfassembled alkanethiol-coated gold nanocrystals. The advantages of this method, which bridges the dimensional gap between lithographic and NC sizes, are (1) that all tunnel junctions are defined by self-assembly rather than lithography and (2) that the ratio of gate capacitance to total capacitance is high. The rich electronic behavior of a double-island device, measured at 4.2 K, is predicted in detail by combining finite element and Monte Carlo simulations with the standard theory of Coulomb blockade with very few adjustable parameters.

Single-electron transistors made by chemical patterning of silicon dioxide substrates and selective deposition of gold nanoparticles

“…These values are reasonably consistent with previously reported values for a similar structure. 13 Moreover, a close inspection of the conductance map reveals some hints of a double island structure as reported in Ref. 13.…”

“…13 Moreover, a close inspection of the conductance map reveals some hints of a double island structure as reported in Ref. 13. This behavior may result from a weak coupling of electrodes to the gold nanoparticles adjacent to the main nanoparticle island.…”

“…2,5,6,8,9,11 Recently, contacts were made to a chain of nanoparticles preformed in solution and randomly deposited on SiO 2 surface. 13 Finally, Ref. 14 demonstrated how to attach the nanoparticles to the SiO 2 surfaces charged locally by electron beam.…”

Assembly of Nanoparticle Patterns with Single‐Particle Resolution Using DNA‐Mediated Charge Trapping Technique: Method and Applications

“…Nanoparticle devices including electronics [1][2][3] and photonics [4,5] have attracted much attention, and the techniques for arranging nanoparticles in designed locations play an important role for future integration of nanodevices and circuits. The techniques employed fall into two main categories: the AFM (atomic force microscope) tip manipulation of nanoparticles and the self-assembly method, which invokes inter-particle or particle/substrate interactions.…”

On the application potential of gold nanoparticles in nanoelectronics and biomedicine

“…For example, Lee et al (2005) selectively assembled 10 nm thiol-modified single-stranded DNA nanoparticles into nanogaps utilizing the DNA hybridization scheme; Bates et al (2006) used Mg 2+ -mediated RNA-RNA loop-receptor interaction; Weiss et al (2006) reported on the lithographic contacting of previously SA 50 nm nanoparticles; and Coskun et al (2008) applied pre-structured substrate surfaces to achieve strictly one-dimensional arrangements of 13 and 50 nm sized AuNPs.…”