Single Molecule Devices with Self-Aligned Contacts

技术：该项目旨在测量和了解单分子中的电荷传输。实现欧姆接触的途径是用DNA自组装或模板合成具有纳米级金属或分子掺杂接触的导体-有机半导体分子-导体。导电接触是自对准的，并与有机半导体分子(OSM)的两端进行接触，长度范围为5-100 nm。由于整体杂化结构将比感兴趣的有机分子长得多，因此不需要精确制造的超小间隙。包括通过附近的强耦合栅电极对分子电子态进行静电修饰的实验。所开发的方法有望为开发有用的分子电子器件并最终将其集成到复杂电路中奠定基础。非技术性：该项目涉及与技术相关的材料科学和高分子化学这一专题领域的基础研究问题，预计将为跨学科领域的研究生和本科生培训提供独特的机会。这项拟议的工作将允许直接测量具有不同化学功能和长度的单分子的电荷传输，为有机分子是否具有足够的纳米电子学性能提供关键信息。国际教师联合会将继续她的活动，接触到从K-12到社区大学、本科生和研究生的广泛人群，并努力让明天的教师为新的科学和技术领域做好准备。该项目将向研究生和本科生介绍有机化学、聚合物化学、表面化学、材料和薄膜表征、器件制造和器件表征。学生将体验跨学科解决问题的方法，并具备技术工程技能、基本科学理解和沟通技能。该项目由DMR电子和光子材料以及CHE MSN(大分子、超分子和纳米化学)计划共同支持。

Technical: This project aims for measurement and understanding of charge transport in single molecules. The approach to achieve ohmic contact is to synthesize conductor-organic semiconducting molecule-conductor with nanoscale metallic or molecularly doped contacts self-assembled or templated by DNAs. The conducting contacts are self-aligned and make contacts with each end of the organic semiconductor molecule (OSM) with length scale ranges from 5-100 nm. Precisely fabricated, ultrasmall gaps are not needed since the overall hybrid structure will be much longer than the organic molecule of interest. Experiments on electrostatic modification of molecular electronic states via a nearby strongly coupled gate electrode are included. The methods developed are expected to lay the groundwork for developing useful molecular electronic devices and eventually integrating them into complex circuits. Non-technical: The project addresses basic research issues in a topical area of materials science and macromolecular chemistry with technological relevance, and is expected to provide unique opportunities for graduate and undergraduate training in an interdisciplinary field. The proposed work will allow direct measurement of charge transport through single molecules with different chemical functionalities and length, providing critical information on whether organic molecules have sufficient performance for nanoelectronics. The PI will continue with her activities to reach out to a broad population ranging from K-12, community college, undergraduate, and graduate students as well as efforts to engage and prepare the teachers of tomorrow for new areas of science and technology. This project will expose both graduate students and undergraduates to organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, surface chemistry, materials and thin film characterization, device fabrication, and device characterization. Students will experience an interdisciplinary approach to problem solving and become equipped with a combination of technical engineering skills, basic scientific understanding, and communication skills. This project is co-supported by the DMR Electronic and Photonic Materials and CHE MSN (Macromolecular, Supramolecular and Nanochemistry) programs.