IBM Research: Press Resources

Carbon Nanotube Transistors

Fact sheet

Constructive destruction
Depending on their size and shape, the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes can be metallic or semiconducting. The problem scientists had faced in using carbon nanotubes as transistors was that all synthetic methods of production yield a mixture of metallic and semiconducting nanotubes which “stick together” to form ropes or bundles. This compromises their usefulness because only semiconducting nanotubes can be used as transistors; and when they are stuck together, the metallic nanotubes overpower the semiconducting nanotubes. IBM scientists have pioneered a method called constructive destruction that allows them to destroy all the metallic nanotubes and leave the semiconducting nanotubes unharmed. Here are the steps:

The scientists deposit ropes of “stuck together” metallic and semiconducting nanotubes on a silicon-oxide wafer,
Then a lithographic mask is projected onto the wafer to form electrodes (metal pads) over the nanotubes. These electrodes act as a switch to turn the semiconducting nanotubes on and off,
Using the silicon wafer itself as an electrode, the scientists "switch-off" the semiconducting nanotubes, which essentially blocks any current from traveling through them,
The metal nanotubes are left unprotected and an appropriate voltage is applied to the wafer, destroying only the metallic nanotubes, since the semiconducting nanotubes are now insulated,
The result: a dense array of unharmed, working semiconducting nanotube transistors that can be used to build logic circuits like those found in computer chips.

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #1

Constructive Destruction -- Building Carbon Nanotube Transistors
[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Selective Breakdown
IBM scientists can control the electricity flowing into a multi-walled carbon nanotube and break down the outer shells one-by-one. Using this selective breakdown technique, the scientists can control the size of the carbon nanotube, which allows them to build nanotubes with the electrical properties they want to build useful electronic devices.

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #2

Selective Breakdown of a Multi-walled Carbon Nanotube
[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Combination of the above two pictures

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #3

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Constrauctive Destruction
Note: Click on an image (below) to download larger version

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #4

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #5

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #6

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #7

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #8

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #9

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #10

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #11

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

Carbon nanotube: Building transistors #12

[ More picture options ] [ Get permission to re-use ]

See also:

·	2001-04-25: Chip Evolution: IBM Scientists Develop Breakthrough Transistor Technology with Carbon Nanotubes

If you have any feedback or questions, respond to webmaster@watson.ibm.com
Copyright (c) 2009 by IBM Corporation. IBM, the IBM logo, and the IBM e-business Logo are registered trademarks of International Business Machines Corporation.