CAREER: Silicon and Gallium Arsenide Nanowire Devices

本文建议发展一个研究和教育计划，通过实验室、课堂、项目和示范经验来进一步了解和理解纳米技术。提出了利用汽-液-固（VLS）技术实现纳米线自组装的纳米线器件和电路的发展方向。这项工作的优点在于研究了通过使用静电力连接单个纳米线的额外控制机制，并开发了从宏观电极外延连接纳米线的程序。研究将包括纳米线p-n结、场效应晶体管、发光二极管和异质结器件。使用VLS技术制造纳米线互连也可能证明是连接分子电子电路的可行方法，用于制造扫描隧道显微镜或原子力显微镜中使用的扫描探针，以及制造微机电系统（MEMS），如导电性探针。该提案概述了将学术影响扩展到直接参与研究的学生之外的三种方法，包括其他研究生，本科生和当地学校。围绕半导体器件的未来发展方向开设了一门课程，包括将进一步扩展的纳米技术。其次，本研究将制作扫描探针的尖端，并协助一组本科生制作扫描探针显微镜（SPM）。第三项推广工作包括在当地高中和初中的校内和校外示威活动中使用自制的SPM。

This paper proposes the development of a research and educational program to further the knowledge and understanding of nanotechnology through laboratory, classroom, project, and demonstration experiences. A directed effort toward the development of nanowire devices and circuits is proposed, utilizing the self-assembly of nanowires through the vapor-liquid-solid (VLS) technique. The merit of this work is in the investigation of an additional control mechanism through the use of electrostatic forces to join individual nanowires, and the development of a procedure for epitaxially interconnecting to the nanowires from macroscopic electrodes. Investigations will include nanowire p-n junctions, field effect transistors, light emitting diodes, and heterojunction devices. Using the VLS technique to fabricate nanowire interconnects may also prove a viable method of interfacing to molecular electronic circuits, for the fabrication of scanning probes used in scanning tunneling microscopy, or atomic force microscopy, and for making micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS) such as electrical conductivity probes.This proposal outlines three methods of extending the scholarly impact beyond the students directly involved in the research, to include other graduate students, undergraduate students, and local area schools. A course has been developed around future directions in semiconductor devices including nanotechnology that will be further expanded upon. Second, scanning probe tips will be fabricated as part of this effort, and a group of undergraduates will be assisted in building a working scanning probe microscope (SPM). The third outreach effort includes using the fabricated SPM for both on-campus and off campus demonstrations at local high schools and middle schools.