Reinventing solid state electronics: harnessing quantum confinement in bismuth thin films

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Date
2017-03-03
Authors
Gity, Farzan
Ansari, Lida
Lanius, Martin
Schüffelgen, Peter
Mussler, Gregor
Grützmacher, Detlev
Greer, James C.
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AIP Publishing
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Abstract
Solid state electronics relies on the intentional introduction of impurity atoms or dopants into a semiconductor crystal and/or the formation of junctions between different materials (heterojunctions) to create rectifiers, potential barriers, and conducting pathways. With these building blocks, switching and amplification of electrical currents and voltages are achieved. As miniaturisation continues to ultra-scaled transistors with critical dimensions on the order of ten atomic lengths, the concept of doping to form junctions fails and forming heterojunctions becomes extremely difficult. Here, it is shown that it is not needed to introduce dopant atoms nor is a heterojunction required to achieve the fundamental electronic function of current rectification. Ideal diode behavior or rectification is achieved solely by manipulation of quantum confinement using approximately 2 nm thick films consisting of a single atomic element, the semimetal bismuth. Crucially for nanoelectronics, this approach enables room temperature operation.
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Keywords
Bismuth , Quantum confinement , Room temperature
Citation
Gity, F., Ansari, L., Lanius, M., Schüffelgen, P., Mussler, G., Grützmacher, D. and Greer, J. C. (2017) 'Reinventing solid state electronics: harnessing quantum confinement in bismuth thin films', Applied Physics Letters, 110(9), 093111 (5pp). doi:10.1063/1.4977431
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© 2017, the Authors. Published by AIP Publishing. This article may be downloaded for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the authors and AIP Publishing. The following article appeared in F. Gity et al., Applied Physics Letters, 110(9), 093111 (5pp) and may be found at http://dx.doi.org/10.1063/1.4977431