Fabrication of Asymmetric Electrode Pairs with Nanometer Separation Made of Two Distinct Metals

TL;DR

This paper presents a straightforward method to create asymmetric metallic electrode pairs with nanometer separation, enabling advanced nanoelectronic device fabrication with distinct metal properties.

Contribution

A novel, reproducible fabrication technique for asymmetric metal electrodes with nanometer gaps using lithography and electrodeposition.

Findings

Successful fabrication of asymmetric electrodes with nanometer separation

Demonstration of single-electron tunneling devices with gold nanocrystals

Electrodes exhibit distinct magnetic properties or work functions

Abstract

We report a simple and reproducible method to fabricate two metallic electrodes made of different metals with a nanometer-sized gap. These electrodes are fabricated by defining a pair of gold electrodes lithographically and electrodepositing a second metal onto one of them. The method enables the fabrication of pairs of metallic electrodes that exhibit distinct magnetic properties or work functions. The utility of this technique is demonstrated by making single-electron tunneling devices incorporating 2-nm gold nanocrystals.