Electrical and Optoelectronic Graphene Devices

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Udo Schwalke
• Subject Area: Electronic Semiconductors, Components and Circuits, Integrated Systems, Sensor Technology, Theoretical Electrical Engineering ; Experimental Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2010 to 2013
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 162837641

The ELOGRAPH project deals with the development of down-scaled field-effect nanodevices based on graphene, their quantitative characterization, the investigation of some of their opto-electronic properties and finally, the modelling of the devices in view of design and evaluation of integrated circuits. These are all objectives of EuroGRAPHENE (theme 3). Contrary to the growth on SiC, the catalytic CVD growth of graphene directly on silicon substrates remains a fairly unexplored topic. When the realization of graphene nanoribbon FETs based on in-situ CVD growth of graphene, followed by in-situ nanostructuring could be demonstrated, it would represent a worldwide novelty and would bring Europe into a leading position. The in-situ CVD growth of graphene demonstrated recently at the ISTN is compatible with conventional semiconductor processing which could help to enable commercial applications. Furthermore, the project opens the possibility to characterize electrically and opto-electrically numerous graphene nanoribbons with different physical properties (orientation, lateral dimensions), which will contribute to increase the knowledge of the scientific community on graphene considerably. As a last major objective, the response of GNRFETs under infrared (IR) illuminations will be analyzed, in view of application as photo-detectors. As perspective, the capability of GNR-devices for thermoelectric energy harvesting of residual heat will also be explored for applications such as on-chip power-support to extend battery life in mobile applications. Lastly, the experimentally embedded modelling of graphene-FETs in view of integrated circuit design will provide a reliable basis to determine if GNRFETs are suitable as replacements of conventional MOSFETs for future industrial applications. Given the long term nature of the graphene research, ELOGRAPH objectives really addresses research at the frontier of knowledge aiming at radical scientific breakthroughs and innovations as targeted by the EuroGRAPHENE call.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Austria, Poland
• Participating Persons: Professor Dr. Jerzy Katcki; Professor Dr. Hans Kosina