Jordi Lluís Coiduras Rodríguez

Portable microsensors based on individual SnO2 nanowires

Individual SnO(2) nanowires were integrated in suspended micromembrane-based bottom-up devices. Electrical contacts between the nanowires and the electrodes were achieved with the help of electron- and ion-beam-assisted direct-write nanolithography processes. The stability of these nanomaterials was evaluated as function of time and applied current, showing that stable and reliable devices were obtained. Furthermore, the possibility of modulating their temperature using the integrated microheater placed in the membrane was also demonstrated, enabling these devices to be used in gas sensing procedures. We present a methodology and general strategy for the fabrication and characterization of portable and reliable nanowire-based devices.

Fabrication of electrical nanocontacts to nanometer-sized materials and structures using a Focused Ion Beam

Fabrication of electrical nanocontacts to nanometer-sized materials and structures using a Focused Ion Beam

Electrical characterisation of nanowires and nanoparticles contacted using a FIB

Nanowires (NWs) and nanoparticles (NPs) of different materials have been grown using either a polycarbonate porous membrane or mesoporous silica as template. The NWs have lengths between 1 and 20 microns; their diameter, as well as the dimensions of the NPs, are in the range of a few hundreds of nanometers. In order to test their electrical characteristics, some of these NWs and NPs have been electrically contacted by using submicrometer sized metallic Pt stripes deposited using an electron and/or ion beam in a focused ion beam (FIB) system. The preliminary results show that the method used is well suited for fabrication of contacts to NWs and NPs, whose electrical behaviour can be easily evaluated. These nanocontacts could help to design future nanodevices.