Objective
We will study nanoelectromechanical devices in which the mechanically active component is a carbon allotrope - a nanotube, a fullerene molecule, or a so-called peapod. Our objective is to fabricate, analyse and optimise carbon-based nanoelectromechanical devices and to integrate them with silicon technology. We will focus on applications in information technology such as switches and memory elements. Carbon allotropes are ideal for nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS).
They combine extraordinary strength with low mass, thereby extending the frequency range of NEMS far beyond the present limits. The electrical properties of carbon-based structures allow for a large variety of electrical functions to be realised in a circuit utilising a single materials platform. Structurally the carbon allotropes fall into three categories: nearly spherical fullerenes of ca 1 nm in diameter, elongated carbon nanotubes (CNTs) of similar diameters but up to several micrometers long, and "peapods", CNTs containing fullerenes. The programme's three research areas are based on the nature of the mechanically active element. Each covers fabrication, measurements and modelling.
The CNT-based devices utilise a suspended nanotube as the mechanically active element either in a nanorelay or a single-electron transistor configuration. In fullerene-based devices the basic structure consists of a fullerene placed in a nanogap between two electrodes. In peapod structures the mechanical degree of freedom is connected with the fullerene motion inside the CNT as well as into and out of the CNT. Integration of carbon-based NEMS to silicon technology is crucial and forms its own research direction. Integration challenges for the three research areas are similar covering preparation of specialised substrates for carbon-based structures and process and signal compatibilities between the different technologies.