Multi-island single-electron devices from self-assembled colloidal nanocrystal chains

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the fabrication of multi-island single-electron devices using self-assembled colloidal nanocrystal chains, enabling precise control of tunnel junctions and electronic properties at low temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a novel fabrication method that combines self-assembly with lithography to create multi-island single-electron devices with improved junction definition and capacitance ratios.

Findings

Rich electronic behavior observed at 4.2 K

Finite element and Monte Carlo simulations accurately predict device behavior

Self-assembly defines tunnel junctions, reducing lithographic complexity

Abstract

We report the fabrication of multi-island single-electron devices made by lithographic contacting of self-assembled alkanethiol-coated gold nanocrystals. The advantages of this method, which bridges the dimensional gap between lithographic and NC sizes, are (1) that all tunnel junctions are defined by self-assembly rather than lithography and (2) that the ratio of gate capacitance to total capacitance is high. The rich electronic behavior of a double-island device, measured at 4.2 K, is predicted in detail by combining finite element and Monte Carlo simulations with the standard theory of Coulomb blockade with very few adjustable parameters.