Topological transitions in carbon nanotube networks via nanoscale confinement

Efforts aimed at large-scale integration of nanoelectronic devices that exploit the superior electronic and mechanical properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) remain limited by the difficulties associated with manipulation and packaging of individual SWNTs. Alternative approaches based on ultra-thin carbon nanotube networks (CNNs) have enjoyed success of late with the realization of several scalable device applications. However, precise control over the network electronic transport is challenging due to i) an often uncontrollable interplay between network coverage and its topology and ii) the inherent electrical heterogeneity of the constituent SWNTs. In this letter, we use template-assisted fluidic assembly of SWCNT networks to explore the effect of geometric confinement on the network topology. Heterogeneous SWCNT networks dip-coated onto sub-micron wide ultra-thin polymer channels exhibit a topology that becomes increasingly aligned with decreasing channel width and thickness. Experimental scale coarse-grained computations of interacting SWCNTs show that the effect is a reflection of an aligned topology that is no longer dependent on the network density, which in turn emerges as a robust knob that can induce semiconductor-to-metallic transitions in the network response. Our study demonstrates the effectiveness of directed assembly on channels with varying degrees of confinement as a simple tool to tailor the conductance of the otherwise heterogeneous network, opening up the possibility of robust large-scale CNN-based devices.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Automated extraction of single H atoms with STM: tip state dependency

The atomistic structure of the tip apex plays a crucial role in performing reliable atomic-scale surface and adsorbate manipulation using scanning probe techniques. We have developed an automated extraction routine for controlled removal of single hydrogen atoms from the H:Si(100) surface. The set of atomic extraction protocols detect a variety of desorption events during scanning tunneling microscope (STM)-induced modification of the hydrogen-passivated surface. The influence of the tip state on the probability for hydrogen removal was examined by comparing the desorption efficiency for various classifications of STM topographs (rows, dimers, atoms, etc). We find that dimer-row-resolving tip apices extract hydrogen atoms most readily and reliably (and with least spurious desorption), while tip states which provide atomic resolution counter-intuitively have a lower probability for single H atom removal

Cooling mechanisms in molecular conduction junctions

While heating of a current carrying Ohmic conductors is an obvious consequence of the diffusive nature of the conduction in such systems, current induced cooling has been recently reported in some molecular conduction junctions. In this paper we demonstrate by simple models the possibility of cooling molecular junctions under applied bias, and discuss several mechanisms for such an effect. Our model is characterized by single electron tunneling between electrodes represented by free electron reservoirs through a system characterized by it electron levels, nuclear vibrations and their structures. We consider cooling mechasims resulting from (a) cooling of one electrode surface by tunneling induced depletion of high energy electrons; (b) cooling by coherent sub resonance electronic transport analogous to atomic laser nduced cooling and (c) the incoherent analog of process (b) - cooling by driven activated transport. The non-equilibrium Green function formulation of junction transport is used in the first two cases, while a master equation approach is applied in the analysis of the third.Comment: 29 pages, 6 figure

A micromachined surface acoustic wave sensor for detecting inert gases

Surface acoustic wave (SAW) sensors must be specifically designed for each application because many variables directly affect the acoustic wave velocity. In the present work, the authors have designed, fabricated, and tested an SAW sensor for detection of metastable states of He. The sensor consists of two sets of micromachined interdigitated transducers (IDTs) and delay lines fabricated by photolithography on a single Y-cut LiNbO{sub 3} substrate oriented for Z-propagation of the SAWs. One set is used as a reference and the other set employs a delay line coated with a titanium-based thin film sensitive to electrical conductivity changes when exposed to metastable states of He. The reference sensor is used to obtain a true frequency translation in relation to a voltage controlled oscillator. An operating frequency of 109 MHz has been used, and the IDT finger width is 8 {micro}m. Variation in electrical conductivity of the thin film at the delay line due to exposure to He is detected as a frequency shift in the assembly, which is then used as a measure of the amount of metastable He exposed to the sensing film on the SAW delay line. A variation in the He pressure versus frequency shifts indicates the extent of the metastable He interaction

Dissociation of ssDNA - Single-Walled Carbon Nanotube Hybrids by Watson-Crick Base Pairing

The unwrapping event of ssDNA from the SWNT during the Watson-Crick base paring is investigated through electrical and optical methods, and binding energy calculations. While the ssDNA-metallic SWNT hybrid shows the p-type semiconducting property, the hybridization product recovered metallic properties. The gel electrophoresis directly verifies the result of wrapping and unwrapping events which was also reflected to the Raman shifts. Our molecular dynamics simulations and binding energy calculations provide atomistic description for the pathway to this phenomenon. This nano-physical phenomenon will open up a new approach for nano-bio sensing of specific sequences with the advantages of efficient particle-based recognition, no labeling, and direct electrical detection which can be easily realized into a microfluidic chip format.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Expression of interfacial Seebeck coefficient through grain boundary engineering with multi-layer graphene nanoplatelets

Expression of energy filtering to boost thermoelectric performance through grain boundary engineering utilising graphene.</p