Quartz tuning-fork based carbon nanotube transfer into quantum device geometries

TL;DR

This paper presents a novel method for growing and transferring clean carbon nanotubes onto quantum device geometries using quartz tuning forks, enabling in situ electronic characterization and quantum transport measurements.

Contribution

We developed a technique to grow nanotubes directly on quartz tuning forks and transfer them into quantum device geometries, facilitating integration and characterization.

Findings

Successful growth of aligned nanotubes bridging >100um gaps

In situ electronic characterization of nanotube devices

Observation of Coulomb blockade at cryogenic temperatures

Abstract

With the objective of integrating single clean, as-grown carbon nanotubes into complex circuits, we have developed a technique to grow nanotubes directly on commercially available quartz tuning forks using a high temperature CVD process. Multiple straight and aligned nanotubes bridge the >100um gap between the two tips. The nanotubes are then lowered onto contact electrodes, electronically characterized in situ, and subsequently cut loose from the tuning fork using a high current. First quantum transport measurements of the resulting devices at cryogenic temperatures display Coulomb blockade characteristics.