Research
We do research nanoelectronics in the cryolab and with molecules.
Nanoelectronics in the cryolab
One of our cryostats.
In the cryolab we investigate electronic transport phenomena in nanometer scaled
devices at cryogenic temperatures, typically in the range between 50 mK and 4 K.
In order to obtain such low temperatures for macroscopic samples we are equipped
with two dilution refrigerators, two 3He and one 4He cryostat, see picture
gallery and the photo to the left. The small devices and low temperatures allow
us to investigate new and exciting phenomena where individual electrons are
manipulated and the classical description has to be replaced by quantum
mechanics.
Read more!
Nanoelectronics with molecules
Principle of a mechanically controllable break junction.
At the ultimate limit of control, nanometer scale devices should be fabricated with atomic precision.
Reaching this level of precision is extremely challenging and in many cases impossible. Molecules however
can be chemically synthesized with atomic precision and in large quantities. To some level, molecules
or also self-assembled metallic and semiconducting clusters can be seen as the smallest building
blocks where structure and electronic as well as electro-optical functions can be engineered. Instead
of preparing solid-state devices by continuously reducing their size, we therefore combine here micro-
and nano-fabrication techniques with chemical bonding and self-assembly to build molecular devices.
Read more!