title: Self-assembly of carbon-nanotube-based single-electron memories.
abstract: We demonstrate the wafer-scale integration of single-electron memories based on carbon nanotube field-effect transistors (CNFETs) using a process based entirely on self assembly. First, a "dry" self-assembly step based on chemical vapor deposition (CVD) allows the growth and connection of CNFETs. Next, a "wet" self-assembly step is used to attach a single 30-nm-diameter gold bead in the nanotube vicinity via chemical functionalization. The bead is used as the memory storage node while the CNFET operating in the subthreshold regime acts as an electrometer exhibiting exponential gain. Below 60 K, the transfer characteristics of gold-CNFETs show highly reproducible hysteretic steps. Evaluation of the capacitance confirms that these current steps originate from the controlled storage of single electrons with a retention time that exceeds 550 s at 4 K.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire d'Etudes des Propriétés Electroniques des Solides, CNRS-UJF, BP 166, Grenoble Cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: Laëtitia
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Marty
authors.forename: Anne-Marie
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Bonnot
authors.forename: Aurore
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bonhomme
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Iaia
authors.forename: Cécile
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Naud
authors.forename: Emmanuel
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: André
authors.forename: Vincent
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Bouchiat
mesh_terms: D003460:Crystallization / Q000379:methods*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004581:Electronics; D004583:Electrons; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D010316:Particle Size; D013499:Surface Properties
chemical_list: D037742:Nanotubes, Carbon