Pathway to the piezoelectronic transduction logic device.

The piezoelectronic transistor (PET) has been proposed as a transduction device not subject to the voltage limits of field-effect transistors. The PET transduces voltage to stress, activating a facile insulator-metal transition, thereby achieving multigigahertz switching speeds, as predicted by modeling, at lower power than the comparable generation field effect transistor (FET). Here, the fabrication and measurement of the first physical PET devices are reported, showing both on/off switching and cycling. The results demonstrate the realization of a stress-based transduction principle, representing the early steps on a developmental pathway to PET technology with potential to contribute to the IT industry.

Rectification of STM Current to Graphite Covered with Phthalocyanine Molecules.

The scanning tunneling microscope (STM) can be used to measure current-voltage characteristics on an atomic scale. The attachment of copper phthalocyanine molecules, in contrast to a variety of other molecules, to graphite changes the electrical characteristics of the STM from relatively symmetric to highly asymmetric or rectifying. Evidence is presented to show that the asymmetry arises because of the electronic energy levels of the copper phthalocyanine. The organic molecules were bonded to the graphite by an acid-base reaction that may have wide applicability.