Yao Yin

Boost Up Carrier Mobility for Ferroelectric Organic Transistor Memory via Buffering Interfacial Polarization Fluctuation

Ferroelectric organic field-effect transistors (Fe-OFETs) have been attractive for a variety of non-volatile memory device applications. One of the critical issues of Fe-OFETs is the improvement of carrier mobility in semiconducting channels. In this article, we propose a novel interfacial buffering method that inserts an ultrathin poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) between ferroelectric polymer and organic semiconductor layers. A high field-effect mobility (μFET) up to 4.6 cm2 V−1 s−1 is obtained. Subsequently, the programming process in our Fe-OFETs is mainly dominated by the switching between two ferroelectric polarizations rather than by the mobility-determined charge accumulation at the channel. Thus, the “reading” and “programming” speeds are significantly improved. Investigations show that the polarization fluctuation at semiconductor/insulator interfaces, which affect the charge transport in conducting channels, can be suppressed effectively using our method.

Synthesis, microstructure, and cathodoluminescence of [0001]-oriented GaN nanorods grown on conductive graphite substrate.

One-dimensional GaN nanorods with corrugated morphology have been synthesized on graphite substrate without the assistance of any metal catalyst through a feasible thermal evaporation process. The morphologies and microstructures of GaN nanorods were characterized by X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). The results from HRTEM analysis indicate that the GaN nanorods are well-crystallized and exhibit a preferential orientation along the [0001] direction with Ga(3+)-terminated (101̅1) and N(3-)-terminated (101̅1̅) as side facets, finally leading to the corrugated morphology surface. The stabilization of the electrostatic surface energy of {101̅1} polar surface in a wurtzite-type hexagonal structure plays a key role in the formation of GaN nanorods with corrugated morphology. Room-temperature cathodoluminescence (CL) measurements show a near-band-edge emission (NBE) in the ultraviolet range and a broad deep level emission (DLE) in the visible range. The crystallography and the optical emissions of GaN nanorods are discussed.

Unidirectional coating technology for organic field-effect transistors: materials and methods

Solution-processed organic field-effect transistors (OFETs) are essential for developing organic electronics. The encouraging development in solution-processed OFETs has attracted research interest because of their potential in low-cost devices with performance comparable to polycrystalline-silicon-based transistors. In recent years, unidirectional coating technology, featuring thin-film coating along only one direction and involving specific materials as well as solution-assisted fabrication methods, has attracted intensive interest. Transistors with organic semiconductor layers, which are deposited via unidirectional coating methods, have achieved high performance. In particular, carrier mobility has been greatly enhanced to values much higher than 10 cm2 V−1 s−1. Such significant improvement is mainly attributed to better control in morphology and molecular packing arrangement of organic thin film. In this review, typical materials that are being used in OFETs are discussed, and demonstrations of unidirectional coating methods are surveyed.

Ultraviolet electroluminescence from Au-ZnO nanowire Schottky type light-emitting diodes

Ultraviolet electroluminescence from Schottky type LED device is demonstrated. The device prototype is based on Schottky junctions formed between Au and the top ends of ZnO nanowire arrays. Rectifying current-voltage characteristics are observed, and three different charge transport mechanisms are discussed in detail. Excitonic electroluminescence at around 380 nm is detected at high forward bias and the linear relationship between intensity and current suggests a LED device performance. The observation of LED signals from the simple Schottky structure provides a potential supplement to the category of ultraviolet LED devices.

Reducing contact resistance in ferroelectric organic transistors by buffering the semiconductor/dielectric interface

The reduction of contact resistance in ferroelectric organic field-effect transistors (Fe-OFETs) by buffering the interfacial polarization fluctuation was reported. An ultrathin poly(methyl methacrylate) layer was inserted between the ferroelectric polymer and organic semiconductor layers. The contact resistance was significantly reduced to 55 kΩ cm. By contrast, Fe-OFETs without buffering exhibited a significantly larger contact resistance of 260 kΩ cm. Results showed that such an enhanced charge injection was attributed to the buffering effect at the semiconductor/ferroelectric interface, which narrowed the trap distribution of the organic semiconductor in the contact region. The presented work provided an efficient method of lowering the contact resistance in Fe-OFETs, which is beneficial for the further development of Fe-OFETs.

Influence of dislocations on indium diffusion in semi-polar InGaN/GaN heterostructures

The spatial distribution of indium composition in InGaN/GaN heterostructure is a critical topic for modulating the wavelength of light emitting diodes. In this letter, semi-polar InGaN/GaN heterostructure stripes were fabricated on patterned GaN/Sapphire substrates by epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO), and the spatial distribution of indium composition in the InGaN layer was characterized by using cathodoluminescence. It is found that the indium composition is mainly controlled by the diffusion behaviors of metal atoms (In and Ga) on the surface. The diffusivity of metal atoms decreases sharply as migrating to the region with a high density of dislocations and other defects, which influences the distribution of indium composition evidently. Our work is beneficial for the understanding of ELO process and the further development of InGaN/GaN heterostructure based devices.

InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well nanowires and light emitting

InGaN/GaN multi-quantum-well (MQW) nanowires and accordingly light-emitting-diodes (LEDs) were fabricated on the n-GaN/sapphire substrate with a nano-patterned SiO2 film as growth mask. The structural characteristics, optical and electrical properties were investigated. the observed results show that a InGaN/GaN MQW nanowire has smooth surface morphologies and triangular cross sectional structure. A strong cathodoluminescence emission peak related to InGaN/GaN MQW is observed located at 461 nm. In addition, InGaN/GaN MQW nanowire LED shows typical p-n junction characteristics with a low turn-on voltage, and its electroluminescence displays purplish.