Reversal of current blockade through multiple trap correlations

TL;DR

This paper reports room-temperature observations of complex trap interactions in 1-D nanotube transistors, revealing how multi-trap correlations can reverse current blockade, supported by a quantum transport model.

Contribution

It uncovers cooperative multi-trap interactions causing current blockade reversal in nanotube transistors, a novel insight into correlated charge dynamics.

Findings

Room-temperature RTS with high signal-to-noise ratio observed.

Evidence of cooperative multi-trap interactions causing current blockade reversal.

Quantum transport model explains strong correlations and potential variations.

Abstract

Current noise in electronic devices usually arises from uncorrelated charging events, with individual transitions resolved only at low temperatures. However, in 1-D nanotube-based transistors, we have observed random telegraph signal (RTS) with unprecedented signal-to-noise ratio at room temperature. In addition, we find evidence for cooperative multi-trap interactions that give rise to a characteristically terminated RTS: current blockade induced by one trap is found to fully reverse through electrostatic `passivation' by another. Our observations are well described by a robust quantum transport model that demonstrates how strong correlation and fast varying potentials can resolve energetically proximal states along a 1-D channel.