Molecular circuits based on graphene nano-ribbon junctions

TL;DR

This paper proposes graphene nano-ribbon junctions as potential building blocks for nano-electronics, demonstrating their ability to function as metal-semiconductor junctions and quantum dots through theoretical calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a novel approach to create electronic devices using patterned graphene nano-ribbons with atomic precision, expanding beyond bulk graphene and nanotube devices.

Findings

Nano-ribbon junctions can act as metal-semiconductor junctions.

Quantum dots can be realized using graphene nano-ribbons.

Patterned graphene structures are promising for future nano-electronic applications.

Abstract

Graphene nano-ribbons junctions based electronic devices are proposed in this Letter. Non-equilibrium Green function calculations show that nano-ribbon junctions tailored from single layer graphene with different edge shape and width can act as metal-semiconductor junctions and quantum dots can be implemented. In virtue of the possibilities of patterning monolayer graphene down to atomic precision, these structures, quite different from the previously reported two-dimensional bulk graphene or carbon nanotube devices, are expected to be used as the building blocks of the future nano-electronics.