Nizeet Aguilar
University: University
Gradation Date: May 2009
Hometown: La
My Project: Molecular Electronic Devices
Molecular electronic devices are being studied as a possible alternative to traditional electronic devices, complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS). In this work, I fabricated molecular electronic devices using organic molecules with different molecular dipoles to study the effect of the dipoles on the electrical characteristics of the junctions. After the native oxide was etched from wells in pre-fabricated device structures using a hydrofluoric acid solution, I self-assembled organic molecules in the devices. The two types of molecules used were: 1-Decanethiol (non-fluorinated) and Heptadecafluoro-1-decanethiol (fluorinated). I then evaporated silver on samples to produce top contacts and electrically characterized the devices with a probe station. Because the fluorinated and non-fluorinated molecules have different molecular dipoles, we expected to see electrical characteristics of the devices that were dependent on not only the resistivity of the silicon used in the device, but also on the molecular dipole of the molecules used. By studying how the molecules with each of the two dipoles affect the electrical characteristics of silicon with different resistivities, we will gain an improved understanding of electron transport through these molecular electronic devices.
After graduating, I am planning to go to graduate school to learn about tissue engineering.