Design of AlInN on silicon heterojunctions grown by sputtering for solar devices

AlInN alloys offer great potential for photovoltaics thanks to their wide direct bandgap covering the solar spectrum from the infrared (0.7 eV – InN) to the ultraviolet (6.2 eV – AlN), and their superior resistance to high temperatures and high-energy particles. We report the design of AlInN-on-silicon heterojunctions grown by radio-frequency sputtering to explore their potential for low-cost devices. Particularly, we study the influence of AlInN bandgap energy, thickness and carrier concentration, silicon surface recombination, interface defect density and wafer quality, on the photovoltaic properties of the junction. The effect of introducing an anti-reflective coating is also assessed. Optimized AlInN-on-Si structures show a conversion efficiency of 23.6% under 1-sun AM1.5G illumination. In comparison with silicon homojunctions, they own an improved responsivity at wavelengths below 500 nm. These results make AlInN-on-Si heterojunctions a promising technology for solar devices with impact in space applications. Experimental results on novel AlInN-on-Si solar cells are also presented.     

Modulation of Schottky barrier in XSi2N4/graphene (X=Mo and W) heterojunctions by biaxial strain

Reducing the Schottky barrier height (SBH) and even achieving the transition from Schottky contacts to Ohmic contacts are key challenges of achieving high energy efficiency and high-performance power devices. In this paper, the modulation effects of biaxial strain on the electronic properties and Schottky barrier of MoSi₂N₄ (MSN)/graphene and WSi₂N₄ (WSN)/graphene heterojunctions are examined by using first principles calculations. After the construction of heterojunctions, the electronic structures of MSN, WSN, and graphene are well preserved. Herein, we show that by applying suitable external strain to a heterojunction stacked by MSN or WSN — an emerging two-dimensional (2D) semiconductor family with excellent mechanical properties — and graphene, the heterojunction can be transformed from Schottky p-type contacts into n-type contacts, even highly efficient Ohmic contacts, making it of critical importance to unleash the tremendous potentials of graphene-based van der Waals (vdW) heterojunctions. Not only are these findings invaluable for designing high-performance graphene-based electronic devices, but also they provide an effective route to realizing dynamic switching either between n-type and p-type Schottky contacts, or between Schottky contacts and Ohmic contacts.     

Strained 2D Layered Materials and Heterojunctions

2D layered materials and heterojunctions with excellent ductility and controllable atomic‐layer thicknesses have shown promise for use in advanced electronics and optical functional devices. Tailoring of nanoscale configurations and physical properties is essential and required for bespoke fabrication of advanced devices based on 2D materials. Due to the high strain tolerance of 2D layered materials, strain engineering is an effective method to tune their behaviors of electrons and phonons. A wide variety of 2D materials are available with tunable bandgaps from interface coupling effects, making 2D layered heterojunctions a versatile platform for understanding fundamental physical issues. Most physical properties and functional applications can be tailored by applying strain to 2D layered materials and heterostructures to realize a scheduled target in carrier concentration, mobility, and barrier height. Herein, the latest research on the roles of strain in modulating the physical properties of 2D layered materials and heterojunctions is introduced, focusing on the physical properties behind strain modulation in 2D materials. Understanding and manipulating strain in 2D layered materials and heterojunctions is important and beneficial for creating tunable electronic and optoelectronic constructions with advanced components, including functional flexible and wearable devices.     

First-principles study of metal-semiconductor contact between MX2 (M = Nb,Pt; X = S,Se) monolayers

First principles calculations are performed to investigate the structural and electronic properties of MX₂ (M = Nb, Pt; X = S, Se) monolayers and their van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. The dynamical stability of monolayers and vdW heterostructures is confirmed by binding energy and phonon spectra. An indirect band gap nature is found for PtS₂ and PtSe₂ monolayers while NbS₂, NbSe₂ and all vdW heterostructures are metals. The intrinsic electronic properties of both NbX₂ and PtX₂ are well preserved due to weak vdW contact. It is demonstrated that a p-type Schottky contact with a small barrier height is formed at NbX₂-PtX₂ interface. The zero tunnel barrier and higher potential drop across the interface in these contacts imply large transfer of charge carriers across the interface, making them potential candidates in nanoelectronic device applications.     

基于碳纳米薄膜/砷化镓范德华异质结的高性能自驱动光电探测器研究

基于碳纳米材料/体半导体范德华(vdW)异质结的光电器件可以同时实现碳纳米材料的超高载流子迁移率以及体半导体的优异光电性能,且具有结构简单、工艺简便、易于调控界面等优点.尤其是通过调控单壁碳纳米管(SWCNT)的直径/手性、费米能级等可以与体半导体形成能带匹配、具有原子级界面的新型混合维度vdW异质结.本文报道了一种基...     

Ballistic conductance in quantum devices: from organic polymers to nanotubes

With the size of electronic devices approaching the nanometer scale, transition to self-assembly in molecular electronics systems appears to be technologically the next step to pursue. Quantum conductors with an especially high potential for applications are organic polymers and carbon nanotubes. The latter are being considered for use as both nonlinear electronic devices and as connectors between molecular electronics devices and the “outside world”. Depending on their internal structure and the nature of the electric contact to leads, these systems may exhibit fractional conductance quantization.     

One-dimensional ZnO nanostructure-based optoelectronics

Semiconductor nanowires, with their unique capability to bridge the nanoscopic and macroscopic worlds, have been demonstrated to have potential applications in energy conversion, electronics, optoelectronics, and biosensing devices. One-dimensional (1D) ZnO nanostructures, with coupled semiconducting and piezoelectric properties, have been extensively investigated and widely used to fabricate nanoscale optoelectronic devices. In this article, we review recent developments in 1D ZnO nanostructure based photodetectors and device performance enhancement by strain engineering piezoelectric polarization and interface modulation. The emphasis is on a fundamental understanding of electrical and optical phenomena, interfacial and contact behaviors, and device characteristics. Finally, the prospects of 1D ZnO nanostructure devices and new challenges are proposed.     

One-dimensional ZnO nanostructure-based optoelectronic

Semiconductor nanowires, with their unique capability to bridge the nanoscopic and macroscopic worlds, have been demonstrated to have potential applications in energy conversion, electronics, optoelectronics, and biosensing devices. Onedimensional(1D) ZnO nanostructures, with coupled semiconducting and piezoelectric properties, have been extensively investigated and widely used to fabricate nanoscale optoelectronic devices. In this article, we review recent developments in 1D ZnO nanostructure based photodetectors and device performance enhancement by strain engineering piezoelectric polarization and interface modulation. The emphasis is on a fundamental understanding of electrical and optical phenomena, interfacial and contact behaviors, and device characteristics. Finally, the prospects of 1D ZnO nanostructure devices and new challenges are proposed.     

Magnetic van der Waals materials: Synthesis,structure, magnetism,and their potential applications

As the family of magnetic materials is rapidly growing, two-dimensional (2D) van der Waals (vdW) magnets have attracted increasing attention as a platform to explore fundamental physical problems of magnetism and their potential applications. This paper reviews the recent progress on emergent vdW magnetic compounds and their potential applications in devices. First, we summarize the current vdW magnetic materials and their synthetic methods. Then, we focus on their structure and the modulation of magnetic properties by analyzing the representative vdW magnetic materials with different magnetic structures. In addition, we pay attention to the heterostructures of vdW magnetic materials, which are expected to produce revolutionary applications of magnetism-related devices. To motivate the researchers in this area, we finally provide the challenges and outlook on 2D vdW magnetism.     

二维Janus结构的PdSSe/石墨烯接触特性的第一性原理探究

Janus结构由于其两侧的原子不同,存在一个内建电场.在本工作中,将具有Janus结构的六角PdSSe与石墨烯复合,构成范德瓦尔斯异质结构.通过基于密度泛函理论的第一性原理计算对其几何结构和电子结构进行了研究.计算中考虑了两种堆叠方式,即Se侧与石墨烯接触和S侧与石墨烯接触.当S侧与石墨烯接触时,体系具有更小的平衡间距和更大的电荷转移,结合能更低. S侧与石墨烯接触时形成了为n型欧姆接触;Se侧与石墨烯接触时形成了势垒极低的n型肖特基接触.最后,讨论了垂直应变对接触特性的影响.通过施加垂直应变,PdSSe/石墨烯的接触类型具有显著的可调性.     

Electronic Transport and Thermopower in 2D and 3D Heterostructures—A Theory Perspective

The impact of interfaces and heterojuctions on the electronic and thermoelectric transport properties of materials is discussed herein. Recent progress in understanding electronic transport in heterostructures of 2D materials ranging from graphene to transition metal dichalcogenides, their homojunctions (grain boundaries), lateral heterojunctions (such as graphene/MoS₂ lateral interfaces), and vertical van der Waals heterostructures is reviewed. Work on thermopower in 2D heterojunctions, as well as their applications in creating devices such as resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs), is also discussed. Last, the focus turns to work in 3D heterostructures. While transport in 3D heterostructures has been researched for several decades, here recent progress in theory and simulation of quantum effects on transport via the Wigner and non‐equilibrium Green's functions approaches is reviewed. These simulation techniques have been successfully applied toward understanding the impact of heterojunctions on transport properties and thermopower, which finds applications in energy harvesting, and electron resonant tunneling, with applications in RTDs. In conclusion, tremendous progress has been made in both simulation and experiments toward the goal of understanding transport in heterostructures and this progress will soon be parlayed into improved energy converters and quantum nanoelectronic devices.     

A van der Waals density functional theory study of poly(vinylidene difluoride) crystalline phases

Ferroelectric polymers, such as poly(vinylidene difluoride) (PVDF), have many potential applications in flexible electronic devices. PVDF has six experimentally observed polymorphs, three of which are ferroelectric. In this work we use density functional theory to investigate the structural properties, energetics and polarisation of the stable α-phase, its ferroelectric analogue, the δ-phase, and the β-phase, which has the best ferroelectric properties. The results from a variety of exchange and correlation functionals were compared and it was found that van der Waals (vdW) interactions have an important effect on the calculated crystal structures and energetics, with the vdW-DF functional giving the best agreement with experimental lattice parameters. The spontaneous polarisation was found to strongly correlate with the unit cell volumes, which depend on the functional used. While the relative phase energies were not strongly dependent on the functional, the cohesive energies were significantly underestimated using the PBE functional. The inclusion of vdW interactions is, therefore, important to obtain the correct lattice structures, polarisation and energetics of PVDF polymorphs.     

具有可调电学和光学性质的双层和三层Janus Ga2SSe

将二维(2D)层状材料的单层堆叠成双层或者少数层,可以很好的调节其光电性质,为该领域发展提供了新的机遇.本文采用第一性原理方法系统地研究了堆叠层数和堆叠次序对双层和三层Janus Ga₂SSe的电学和光学性质的影响.我们发现这些结构的层间距差别很大,而结合能差异却很小.尽管所有的双层和三层Janus Ga₂SSe具有间接带隙,然而其带隙值和载流子有效质量与堆叠层数和堆叠次序密切相关.此外,在Janus Ga₂SSe中,通过增加层数,可以增强其在可见光和紫外区域的吸收系数.同时,通过控制层间堆叠模式,进一步调制其吸收系数,导致在可见光和近紫外区域产生多个吸收峰.我们的结果为双层和三层Janus III族单硫化合物的可调节电学和光学性质提供了有价值的见解,这表明其可能在纳米电子和光电子器件中有着广阔的应用前景.     

Nonvolatile memory devices based on self-assembled nanocrystals

Nonvolatile memory devices are one of the most important components in modern electronic devices. Many efforts have been made to fabricate high-density, low-cost, nonvolatile solid-state memory devices for use in portable/mobile electronic devices such as laptop computers, tablet devices, smart phones, etc. Among the many available nonvolatile memory devices, flash memory devices are of great interest to the electronics industry owing to their simple device structure, enabling high-density memory applications. Flash memory devices in which nanoparticles or nanocrystals are used as the charge-trapping elements have advantages over conventional flash memory devices because the charge-trapping layer and memory performance of the former can be readily optimized. Active research has recently been conducted to fabricate and characterize self-assembled-nanocrystal-based nonvolatile memory devices. We reviewed various strategies for fabricating nanocrystal-based nonvolatile memory devices and discussed the programmable memory properties and the device reliability characteristics of nanocrystal-based memory devices to possibly apply nanocrystal-based memory devices to those used in portable/mobile electronic devices. Finally, novel device applications such as printed/flexible/transparent electronic devices were explored based on nanocrystal-based memory devices.     

Synthesis of Graphene and Its Applications: A Review

Graphene, one-atom-thick planar sheet of carbon atoms densely packed in a honeycomb crystal lattice, has grabbed appreciable attention due to its exceptional electronic and optoelectronic properties. The reported properties and applications of this two-dimensional form of carbon structure have opened up new opportunities for the future devices and systems. Although graphene is known as one of the best electronic materials, synthesizing single sheet of graphene has been less explored. This review article aims to present an overview of the advancement of research in graphene, in the area of synthesis, properties and applications, such as field emission, sensors, electronics, and energy. Wherever applicable, the limitations of present knowledgebase and future research directions have also been highlighted.     

First principles study of the electronic properties and Schottky barrier in Cu2Si/C2N van der Waals heterostructures

Based on the first principles calculations, we have systematically investigated the electronic structures of Cu₂Si/C₂N van der Waals (vdW) heterostructures. We discovered that the electronic structures of Cu₂Si and C₂N monolayers are preserved in Cu₂Si/C₂N vdW heterostructures. There is a transition from the n-type Schottky contact to Ohmic contact when the interfacial distance decreases from 4.4 to 2.7 Å, which indicates that the Schottky barrier can be tuned effectively by the interfacial distance. Meanwhile, we find that the carrier concentration between the Cu₂Si and C₂N interfaces in the vdW heterostructures can be tuned. These findings suggest that the Cu₂Si/C₂N vdW heterostructure is a promising candidate for application in future nanoelectronics and optoelectronics devices.     

ZnO一维纳米线及其异质结构的外延生长

一维纳米结构因其优异的光、电特性，在纳米电子学，光电子学器件等方面有重要的应用价值而倍受关注．在一维半导体纳米材料中，ZnO因激子束缚能大（60meV），可在室温获得高效的紫外发光而成为近年来继GaN材料后的又一研究热点．外延生长一维纳米结构ZnO及其量子阱材料除因量子尺寸效应更适宜做室温紫外发光、激光材料与器件外，还因界面和量子限制效应而具有许多新奇的光、电、和力学特性，可应用于纳米光电子学器件，传感器及存储器件，纳米尺度共振隧道结型器件和场效应晶体管的研制和开发．文章着重介绍了目前ZnO一维纳米结构制备，一维ZnO纳米异质结构和一维ZnO／Zn1-xMgxO多量子阱结构的外延生长和研究进展．     

高质量单层二硫化钼薄膜的研究进展

作为一种新型的二维半导体材料,单层二硫化钼薄膜由于其优异的特性,在电子学与光电子学等众多领域具有潜在的应用价值.本文综述了我们课题组在过去几年中针对单层二硫化钼薄膜的研究所取得的进展,具体包括:在二硫化钼薄膜的制备方面,通过氧辅助化学气相沉积方法,实现了大尺寸单层二硫化钼单晶的可控生长和晶圆级单层二硫化钼薄膜的高定向外延生长;在二硫化钼薄膜的加工方面,发展了单层二硫化钼薄膜的无损转移、洁净图案化加工、可控结构相变与局域相调控的方法,为场效应晶体管等电子学器件的制备与性能优化提供了基础;在二硫化钼异质结方面,研究了二硫化钼薄膜与其他二维材料形成的异质结的电学以及光电性质,为二维材料异质结的构筑和器件特性研究提供了实验参考;在二硫化钼薄膜功能化器件与应用方面,构筑了全二维材料、亚5 nm超短沟道场效应晶体管器件,验证了单层二硫化钼对短沟道效应的有效抑制及其在5 nm工艺节点器件中的应用优势;此外,利用制备的高质量单层二硫化钼和发展的器件洁净加工技术,实现了高性能柔性薄膜晶体管的集成,获得了超高灵敏度与稳定性的非接触型湿度传感器.我们在二硫化钼薄膜的制备、加工以及器件特性研究方面所取得的进展对于二硫化钼及其他二维过渡金属硫属化合物的基础和应用研究均具有指导意义.     

Graphene applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices and circuits

Recent progress of research for graphene applications in electronic and optoelectronic devices is reviewed, and recent developments in circuits based on graphene devices are summarized. The bandgap-mobility tradeoff inevitably constrains the application of graphene for the conventional field-effect transistor （FET） devices in digital applications. However, this shortcoming has not dampened the enthusiasm of the research community toward graphene electronics. Aside from high mobility, graphene offers numerous other amazing electrical, optical, thermal, and mechanical properties that continually motivate innovations.     

How Does van der Waals Confinement Enhance Phonon Transport?

We study the mechanism of van der Waals(vdW)interactions on phonon transport in atomic scale,which would boost developments in heat management and energy conversion.Commonly,the vdW interactions are regarded as a hindrance in phonon transport.Here we propose that the vdW confinement can enhance phonon transport.Through molecular dynamics simulations,it is realized that the vdW confinement is able to make more than two-fold enhancement on thermal conductivity of both polyethylene single chain and graphene nanoribbon.The quantitative analyses of morphology,local vdW potential energy and dynamical properties are carried out to reveal the underlying physical mechanism.It is found that the confined vdW potential barriers reduce the atomic thermal displacement magnitudes,leading to less phonon scattering and facilitating thermal transport.Our study offers a new strategy to modulate the phonon transport.