NER: Caged Clusters for Single-Electronics

本纳米探索性研究（NER）提案是应“纳米科学与工程”（NSF 02-148）的要求提交的。该项目致力于基于簇的混合分子电子架构的合成和处理，以克服固态半导体大规模生产电路小型化的根本限制。重点是控制集群的精确组成和空间安排。该项目的部分动机是，可以排列成组的簇，使它们执行电子电路的基本功能，其中单个电子的存在或不存在代表信息位。基于集群的单电子技术可以提供一种手段来克服技术和基本障碍，这些障碍预计将限制当前类型的电子电路的进一步小型化，但也为实施基于单电子原理的革命性电子电路设计奠定了基础。初步研究表明，即使是具有相对简单的单电子突触的网络也可能足够复杂，可以复制人类大脑的某些特征能力。因此，在可预见的未来，可能会出现非常强大的信号处理技术。在这个探索性的项目中，将合成足够大的分子框架来包围簇。最初，框架将通过附加的侧链进行修改，以完成两个任务：保持直径高达2 nm的簇，并介导“笼状簇”附着到固体表面。然后研究这些笼状团簇的电子输运性质。在随后的工作中，框架将相互连接，形成精确定义的簇阵列，作为单电子器件。此外，它们将与纳米制造的电子电路连接，以证明基于单电子原理的新型计算架构的可行性。拟议的研究是一项合作努力，涉及两个部门（化学;物理和天文学）的研究人员。该项目解决了材料科学和化学领域的基础探索性研究问题，具有高技术相关性;它被认为是一项高风险/高回报的活动。该项目包括NSE研究和纳米结构，新现象和量子控制的教育主题。该计划的一个重要特点是通过在一个基本和技术上重要的领域对学生进行培训来整合研究和教育。该项目的范围是跨学科的，跨越原子对原子的结构和纳米结构的物理表征，将这种结构与现有技术相结合。这种跨学科的研究环境预计将吸引学生到纳米科学，并为年轻科学家在其教育和培训的各个阶段提供一个独特的培训基地。研究成果将在科学期刊上发表，并用于吸引当地本科生和高中生参加研究活动。该项目由MPS/DMR/EM和MPS/CHE特别项目和IBO计划共同支持。

This Nanoscale Exploratory Research (NER) proposal was submitted in response to the solicitation "Nanoscale Science and Engineering" (NSF 02-148). The project addresses synthesis and processing of cluster based hybrid molecular-electronic architectures to overcome fundamental limits to miniaturization of solid state semiconductor mass-produced circuitry. Emphasis is on control of precise composition and the spatial arrangement of clusters. Part of the motivation for the project is that it may be possible to arrange groups of clusters so that they perform the basic functions of electronic circuits, with the presence or absence of single electrons representing bits of information. A cluster-based single-electronics technology could provide a means to overcome the technical and fundamental barriers that are expected to limit further miniaturization of current types of electronic circuit, but also set the stage for the implementation of revolutionary electronic circuit designs based on the principles of single-electronics. Preliminary studies have shown that even networks with relatively simple single-electron synapses could be sufficiently complex to reproduce some of the characteristic capabilities of the human brain. Thus extremely powerful signal processing technologies may become available in the foreseeable future. In this exploratory project molecular frameworks of sufficient size to enclose clusters will be synthesized. Initially, the frameworks will be modified by means of appended side chains to fulfill two tasks: hold clusters with diameters of up to 2 nm and mediate the attachment of "caged clusters" to solid surfaces. The electron transport properties of these caged clusters will then be studied. In subsequent work, the frameworks will be interconnected to form precisely defined cluster arrays that function as single-electron devices. Additionally, they will be interfaced with nanofabricated electronic circuits to demonstrate the feasibility of novel computing architectures based on principles of single-electronics. The proposed research is a collaborative effort involving researchers from two Departments (Chemistry; Physics and Astronomy). %%% The project addresses basic exploratory research issues in a topical area of materials science and chemistry with high technological relevance; it is considered a high risk/high pay-off activity. The project encompasses the NSE research and education theme of Nanoscale Structures, Novel Phenomena, and Quantum Control. An important feature of the program is the integration of research and education through the training of students in a fundamentally and technologically significant area. The scope of the project is interdisciplinary, spanning atom-by-atom construction and physical characterization of nanostructures to the integration of such structures with existing technology. This interdisciplinary research setting is expected to attract students to nanoscience and provide a unique training ground for young scientists at all stages of their education and training. The research results will be published in scientific journals, and also used to attract local undergraduate and high school students into research activities. The project is jointly supported by the MPS/DMR/EM and the MPS/CHE Special Projects and IBO programs.