Paul J. Schuele

Atomic layer deposition of MoS2 thin films

Atomic layer deposition (ALD) was used to grow thin films of MoS2 over 5 × 5 cm areas of silicon oxide coated silicon wafers. Smooth, uniform, and continuous films were produced over a temperature range of 350 °C–450 °C. The as-grown films were analyzed using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, photoluminescence, and x-ray diffraction. Electrical characteristics of the films were evaluated by fabricating a back gated field effect transistor. These analyses indicate that ALD technique can produce large area, high quality MoS2 films.

Si Radial p-i-n Junction Photovoltaic Arrays with Built-In Light Concentrators.

High-performance photovoltaic (PV) devices require strong light absorption, low reflection and efficient photogenerated carrier collection for high quantum efficiency. Previous optical studies of vertical wires arrays have revealed that extremely efficient light absorption in the visible wavelengths is achievable. Photovoltaic studies have further advanced the wire approach by employing radial p-n junction architectures to achieve more efficient carrier collection. While radial p-n junction formation and optimized light absorption have independently been considered, PV efficiencies have further opportunities for enhancement by exploiting the radial p-n junction fabrication procedures to form arrays that simultaneously enhance both light absorption and carrier collection efficiency. Here we report a concept of morphology control to improve PV performance, light absorption and quantum efficiency of silicon radial p-i-n junction arrays. Surface energy minimization during vapor phase epitaxy is exploited to form match-head structures at the tips of the wires. The match-head structure acts as a built-in light concentrator and enhances optical absorptance and external quantum efficiencies by 30 to 40%, and PV efficiency under AM 1.5G illumination by 20% compared to cylindrical structures without match-heads. The design rules for these improvements with match-head arrays are systematically studied. This approach of process-enhanced control of three-dimensional Si morphologies provides a fab-compatible way to enhance the PV performance of Si radial p-n junction wire arrays.

Development of real-time assays for impedance-based detection of microbial double-stranded DNA targets: Optimization and data analysis

A real-time, label free assay was developed for microbial detection, utilizing double-stranded DNA targets and employing the next generation of an impedimetric sensor array platform designed by Sharp Laboratories of America (SLA). Real-time curves of the impedimetric signal response were obtained at fixed frequency and voltage for target binding to oligonucleotide probes attached to the sensor array surface. Kinetic parameters of these curves were analyzed by the integrated data analysis package for signal quantification. Non-specific binding presented a major challenge for assay development, and required assay optimization. For this, differences were maximized between binding curve kinetic parameters for probes binding to complementary targets versus non-target controls. Variables manipulated for assay optimization included target concentration, hybridization temperature, buffer concentration, and the use of surfactants. Our results showed that (i) different target-probe combinations required optimization of specific sets of variables; (ii) for each assay condition, the optimum range was relatively narrow, and had to be determined empirically; and (iii) outside of the optimum range, the assay could not distinguish between specific and non-specific binding. For each target-probe combination evaluated, conditions resulting in good separation between specific and non-specific binding signals were established, generating high confidence in the SLA impedimetric dsDNA assay results.

Real-Time Biosensor Platform: Fully Integrated Device for Impedimetric Assays

An impedimetric biosensor platform for bioaffinity assays has been developed that is based on real-time, label-free electrochemical detection performed via a direct interface to electronic digital data processing. The sensor array consists of 15 gold microelectrode pairs (Fig. 1) that are enclosed in three reaction chambers and biofunctionalized with specific probes. The impedance change caused by specific capture of target analyte molecules on the functionalized electrode surface is recorded in real time. The measuring instrument is capable of continuous and simultaneous stimulation and recording of all electrodes on the array. A corresponding mathematical algorithm and a software package for data analysis have been developed. The software performs (i) filtering of the instrument noise, and (ii) extraction of the exponential component of the impedance signal. Thus, the algorithm can quantify both rate of target to probe binding, and target to probe affinity. The described fully integrated platform can be used as a basic research tool for development of various bio-affinity impedimetric assays. To facilitate such applications, we have developed a streamlined manufacturing technology, and a set of assay protocols for detection of microbes based on nucleic acid hybridization. The assay was shown to detect and distinguish between two closely related but different Escherichia coli strains. The assay sensitivity was sufficient for reliable measurements of specific PCR products amplified from microbial genomic DNA. The sensor array platform is adaptable for detection of a wide range of analytes of practical significance, and it has potential for further integration with amplification (i.e. PCR) and sample preparation modules.

Orientation- and position-controlled alignment of asymmetric silicon microrod on a substrate with asymmetric electrodes

In this paper, we demonstrate the orientation-controlled alignment of asymmetric Si microrods on a glass substrate with an asymmetric pair of electrodes. The Si microrods have the shape of a paddle with a blade and a shaft part, and the pair of electrodes consists of a narrow electrode and a wide electrode. By applying AC bias to the electrodes, the Si microrods suspended in a fluid align in such a way to settle across the electrode pair, and over 80% of the aligned Si microrods have an orientation with the blade and the shaft of the paddle on the wide and the narrow electrodes, respectively. When Si microrods have a shell of dielectric film and its thickness on the top face is thicker than that on the bottom face, 97.8% of the Si microrods are aligned with the top face facing upwards. This technique is useful for orientation-controlled alignment of nano- and microsized devices that have polarity or a distinction between the top and bottom faces.

Asymmetric AC electrophoresis with insulated electrodes: Toward positional control of microand nanoscale devices

This paper demonstrates electrophoresis of silicon micro-rods by applying asymmetric AC bias to two electrodes capped with a thin dielectric film. The silicon micro-rods migrate bi-directionally when asymmetric AC bias is applied to the electrodes. The insulated electrodes significantly contribute to elimination of bubbling and contamination originating from electrochemical reactions, which makes adoption of the technique to mass production processes realistic. This technique is widely applicable to positional control of small objects including micro- and nanoscale devices.

Orientation-controlled dielectrophoretic alignment of silicon microrod on a substrate with high positional accuracy

We demonstrate the orientation-controlled dielectrophoretic alignment of asymmetric Si microrods on a glass substrate with an asymmetric pair of electrodes. By applying AC bias to the electrodes, over 80% of the Si microrods align on the electrode pair so that a particular end of the microrod relates to a certain part of the electrode; the thick and thin ends overlap the thick and thin electrodes, respectively. Furthermore, the orientation of the top and bottom face of the Si microrod is also controllable when the thicknesses of the dielectric film on the top and bottom faces are different.

Silicon epitaxy in nanoscale for photovoltaic applications

Nanostructures provide novel opportunities of studying epitaxy in nano/mesoscale and on nonplanar substrates. Epitaxial growth of silicon (Si) on the surfaces of Si nanowires along radial direction is a promising way to prepare radial p-(i)-n junction in nanoscale for optoelectronic devices. Comprehensive studies of Si radial epitaxy in micro/nanoscale reveal that morphological evolution and size-dependent radial shell growth rate for undoped and doped Si radial shells. Single crystalline Si radial p-i-n junction wire arrays were utilized to fabricate photovoltaic (PV) devices. The PV devices exhibited the photoconversion efficiency of 10%, the short-circuit current density of 39 mA/cm2, and the open-circuit voltage of 0.52 V, respectively.

Bidirectional migration of Au colloids and silicon microrods in liquid using asymmetrical alternating current electric field with insulated electrodes

In this study, we demonstrate the migration of Au colloids and silicon microrods in deionized (DI) water and isopropyl alcohol (IPA) by applying asymmetrical AC bias to two electrodes capped with a thin dielectric film. Both Au colloids and silicon microrods successfully migrate from one electrode to the other when asymmetrical AC bias is applied to the electrodes. Furthermore, the direction of the migration can be easily reversed by inverting the wave form. The insulated electrodes have the potential to prevent contamination and bubbling originating from electrochemical reactions, which makes the adoption of the technique for mass production processes easy and realistic. The bidirectional migration acts similarly to electrophoresis and is effective even in DI water and IPA in which conventional DC electrophoresis with insulated electrodes is ineffective. This technique is widely applicable to the positional control of small objects including nano- and micro-sized devices.

Photovoltaic Performances of Three-dimensional Architecture Si Radial P-I-N Junction Nanowire Arrays

Two different approaches to realize high-performance silicon nanowire solar cell on low-cost substrates will be presented. Study on Si nanopillars fabricated by deep reactive ion etching followed by epitaxial growth of electrically doped radial shell showed morphological effect on optical absorption, geometrical effect on external quantum efficiency and on device efficiency. Especially optical absorption properties of Si radial p-i-n junction arrays were investigated by both theoretical calculation with finite domain time difference method and absorbance measurements. Photovoltaic cell based on single crystalline Si nanopillar arrays demonstrated efficiency of higher than 10%. Additionally, randomly oriented Si radial p-i-n junction arrays were grown on stainless steel substrate. Si radial p-i-n junction photovoltaic device showed >3.5% efficiency.