Binary aromatic self-assembled monolayers: electrostatic properties and charge tunneling rates across the molecular framework

Mixing of non- and fluorine-substituted mercaptobiphenyls in binary monolayers not only leads to work function variation but also electrostatic effects in photoemission and tunable charge tunneling rates across the films.

Quantum plasmonic control of trions in a picocavity with monolayer WS2

Monitoring and controlling the neutral and charged excitons (trions) in two-dimensional (2D) materials are essential for the development of high-performance devices. However, nanoscale control is challenging because of diffraction-limited spatial resolution of conventional far-field techniques. Here, we extend the classical tip-enhanced photoluminescence based on tip-substrate nanocavity to quantum regime and demonstrate controlled nano-optical imaging, namely, tip-enhanced quantum plasmonics. In addition to improving the spatial resolution, we use the scanning probe to control the optoelectronic response of monolayer WS2 by varying the neutral/charged exciton ratio via charge tunneling in Au-Ag picocavity. We observe trion “hot spots” generated by varying the picometer-scale probe-sample distance and show the effects of weak and strong coupling, which depend on the spatial location. Our experimental results are in agreement with simulations and open an unprecedented view of a new range of quantum plasmonic phenomena with 2D materials that will help to design new quantum optoelectronic devices.

Synthesis, Characterization and Fabrication of Graphene/Boron Nitride Nanosheets Heterostructure Tunneling Devices

Various types of 2D/2D prototype devices based on graphene (G) and boron nitride nanosheets (BNNS) were fabricated to study the charge tunneling phenomenon pertinent to vertical transistors for digital and high frequency electronics. Specifically, G/BNNS/metal, G/SiO2, and G/BNNS/SiO2 heterostructures were investigated under direct current (DC-bias) conditions at room temperature. Bilayer graphene and BNNS were grown separately and transferred subsequently onto the substrates to fabricate 2D device architectures. High-resolution transmission electron microscopy confirmed the bilayer graphene structure and few layer BNNS sheets having a hexagonal B3-N3 lattice. The current vs voltage I(V) data for the G/BNNS/Metal devices show Schottky barrier characteristics with very low forward voltage drop, Fowler-Nordheim behavior, and 10−4 Ω/sq. sheet resistance. This result is ascribed to the combination of fast electron transport within graphene grains and out-of-plane tunneling in BNNS that circumvents grain boundary resistance. A theoretical model based on electron tunneling is used to qualitatively describe the behavior of the 2D G/BNNS/metal devices.

Charge Transfer in Dimer with Dissipation

The study of the charge transfer processes in biomacromolecules such as DNA is essential for the development of nanobioelectronics, design and construction of DNA-based nanowires, memory devices, logical elements, etc. Mathematical and computer modeling of charge transfer in biopolymer chains is an important part of these investigations. Some properties of charge transfer can be demonstrated by modeling of two-site chain. Based on the semi-classical Holstein model we consider a system of two sites and charged particle (electron or hole) in which the oscillations of the first site are not related to the charge motion, and the parameters of the second site correspond to a small-radius polaron. The system steady states depending on the electron energy H at the second site are studied numerically. The dynamics of the charge initially localized at the first site is modeled. Various modes depending on H are demonstrated: charge tunneling, resonant transfer, and lack of transfer.