Control of Epitaxial Graphene Layers on Silicon Carbide

技术描述：本项目的研究旨在了解和改进石墨烯在碳化硅(C面)(000-1)表面的形成。先前的工作已经确定了石墨烯在C面上的一种新的界面结构，当石墨烯在低压二硅烷环境中形成时发生。本项目对这种石墨烯的形成机理进行了进一步的研究。用氢气或氧气研究了C面界面层与碳化硅的去耦合。在与其他科学家的合作研究中，对石墨烯的电子性质进行了表征。将氮化硼等绝缘层外延沉积在石墨烯上，作为形成石墨烯-绝缘体-石墨烯结的第一步。探索了在氮化硼上进一步沉积第二层石墨烯的方法。非技术描述：石墨烯是一种二维单分子碳膜，由于电子在材料中的独特输运性质，在过去的十年里一直被广泛研究。对于大面积生产石墨烯(如电子设备和电路所需)，一种主要的方法是在碳化硅上形成石墨烯。本课题主要研究石墨烯在碳化硅表面的形成机理，特别是其C晶面的形成机理。该项目还为纳米技术领域的研究生提供广泛的多学科培训。此外，PI每年向初中生讲授纳米技术，并教授纳米科学和纳米技术的本科生课程。该项目的石墨烯相关研究用于增强这些讲座的内容，为学生提供一个恰当的纳米科学和纳米技术当前主题的例子。

Technical Description: The research performed in this project aims to understand and improve the formation of graphene on the (000-1) surface of SiC (the C-face). Prior work has identified a new interface structure for graphene on the C-face, occurring when the graphene is formed in a low-pressure disilane environment. Further research of this graphene formation mechanism is performed in this project. Decoupling of the C-face interface layer from the SiC is also studied, using hydrogen or oxygen gases. The electronic properties of the graphene are characterized, in collaborative studies with other scientists. Insulating layers such as boron nitride are epitaxially deposited on the graphene, as a first step towards the formation of graphene-insulator-graphene junction. Methods are explored for further deposition of a second layer of graphene on the boron nitride.Non-technical Description: Graphene, a two-dimensional monolayer of carbon, has been intensively studied for the past decade because of the unique transport properties of electrons in the material. For large-area production of graphene (as needed for electronic devices and circuits), a leading method is the formation on silicon carbide (SiC). This research project focuses on formation mechanisms for graphene on SiC, particularly on its C-face. The project also provides broad multi-disciplinary training to graduate students in the nanotechnology field. Additionally, the PI presents annual lectures to middle and high school students on nanotechnology, as well as teaching an undergraduate course on Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. The graphene-related research of this project is used to enhance the content of these lectures, providing the students with an apt example of a current topic in nanoscience and nanotechnology.