Zhao Huabo

Vertical assembly of carbon nanotubes for via interconnects

The via interconnects are key components in ultra-large scale integrated circuits (ULSI). This paper deals with a new method to create single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) via interconnects using alternating dielectrophoresis (DEP). Carbon nanotubes are vertically assembled in the microscale via-holes successfully at room temperature under ambient condition. The electrical evaluation of the SWNT vias reveals that our DEP assembly technique is highly reliable and the success rate of assembly can be as high as 90%. We also propose and test possible approaches to reducing the contact resistance between CNT vias and metal electrodes.

Polarization dependence of the light coupling to surface plasmons in an Ag nanoparticle & Ag nanowire system

Polarization dependence of the coupling of excitation light to surface plasmon polaritons (SPPs) was investigated in a Ag nanoparticle—nanowire waveguide system (a Ag nanoparticle attached to a Ag nanowire). It was found that under the illumination of excitation light on the nanoparticle—nanowire junction, the coupling efficiency of light to SPPs depends on the polarization of the excitation light. Theoretical simulations revealed that it is the local near-field coupling between the nanoparticle and the nanowire that enhances the incident light to excite the nanowire SPPs. Because the shapes of the Ag nanoparticles differ, the local field intensity, and thus the excitement of the nanowire SPPs, vary with the polarization of the excitation light.