Researchers have succeeded in developing the best performing diode based on a single molecule. The development of a functional diode based on a single molecule is a coveted challenge in the electronics industry.
![Schematic illustration of a molecular junction functioning as a diode created using asymmetric areas of an electrode that allows the current to move in only one direction. [Courtesy: Berkeley Lab and Columbia University]](http://www.nature.com/nnano/journal/v10/n6/carousel/nnano.2015.97-f1.jpg)
[Translation by Dr. Nachmani Moshe]
A team of researchers from Berkeley Lab and Columbia University achieved an important milestone in the field of molecular electronic components in the development of the best-performing diode based on a single molecule. The team used a combination of gold electrodes and an ionic solution to create a single-molecule diode whose electronic performance is better than existing diodes by a factor of 50.
"Thanks to the use of a single symmetrical molecule, an ionic solution and two gold electrodes with exposed surfaces of different sizes, we were able to create a diode with a rectification ratio (the ratio of forward current versus reverse current at a constant voltage) in excess of 200 units, a rate that is a record for devices based on a single molecule", says Jeff Neaton, a researcher in the physics department at the university. "The asymmetry necessary for the performance of the diode arises from the different exposed surfaces of the electrodes and from the ionic solution," says the researcher. "This setup leads to obtaining different electrostatic environments around the two electrodes, environments that give rise to improved performance."
In light of the motto of "smaller and faster" in the electronics industry, devices based on a single molecule represent the upper limit for the miniaturization of electronic components. In 1974, field pioneers Mark Ratner and Aryeh Aviram hypothesized that an asymmetric molecule might serve as an efficient rectifier, which conducts unidirectional current. Since then, the development of electronic devices based on a single functional molecule has been quite a challenge in the field of diodes - one of the most common electronic components in the world - a development that is at the top of the list of scientific goals.
A typical diode consists of a silicon p-n junction bridging a pair of electrodes (anode and cathode) that function as the "valve" of an electric current, directing the current and transferring it in one direction. The asymmetry of the p-n junction presents the electrons with a branded transfer environment, i.e. - off/on. Scientists have previously succeeded in developing diodes based on a single molecule, or through the chemical synthesis of special asymmetric molecules that are alternatives to the pn junction; or through the use of symmetrical molecules with different metals as the two electrodes. At the same time, the resulting asymmetric junctions achieved low alignment ratios and poor performance. The researchers from Columbia University were able to solve both of these issues.
"The movement of an electron on a molecular scale is controlled by the phenomenon of quantum tunneling," explains the lead researcher. "The efficiency of the tunneling process depends on the discrete energy levels of the molecule within the continuous spectrum of the electrode. In the framework of a molecular current rectifier, the array of these levels undergoes "enrichment" when the voltage is positive, which leads to an increase in tunneling, and the same array is weakened when the voltage is negative. As part of our research, we developed a method for the accurate calculation of the array of energy levels and the tunneling probability for junctions of a single molecule. This method allowed us to understand the quantitative behavior of the diode." The researchers were able to produce a high-performance current rectifier from junctions composed of symmetrical molecules together with molecular resonance in an almost perfect array in relation to the energy levels of the electrons flowing in the gold electrodes. The symmetry was "broken" by a significant variation in the surface size of each of the electrodes exposed to the ionic solution. Thanks to this asymmetry, a positive voltage significantly increases the current. "In addition to breaking the symmetry, double layers created due to the ionic solution also give rise to differences in the polarization of the two electrodes, a polarization that also affects the overall molecular resonance. When the researchers used a non-ionic solution, no current alignment was obtained. The researchers believe that their method can be applied in other fields as well.
49 תגובות
Strong,
I'm not cursing…
I state a fact that you are a leech…
Maybe the skeptic..
You will continue with your curses and I will continue with my scary questions..
I will ask again, but only questions specific to this article:
1. Is flash memory creation technology interesting to you?
2. Have you tried to learn about her? If so, how?
3. If not, why do you think the technology is mysterious?
And finally, a new question:
What's wrong with my questions?
Strong,
You little freak.
Strong
Your leech questions…
It's possible..
Is that all you have left? Curses?
A bit childish, isn't it?
I will continue to wait for you to respond to even one of the questions asked here.
Hopefully, in the end you'll have enough courage for it..
Eitan, miracles,
You remained leeches…
May be
Physicist or electronic? Or just a pathetic liar?
It's possible..
Do you think that everyone who is convinced that you are telling the truth stops talking to you and the only ones who continue to talk to you are the "slanderers"?
Why do you recognize questions as insults?
Why don't you try to answer them politely instead?
Maybe you will convince some of the respondents here that you are telling the truth..
Miracles
you leech…
may be…
Answer me or everyone will know you're a liar. The truth... most already know... that's why they don't talk to you. And the reason you don't get it is because you're an idiot.
Eitan, rival, miracles
Look, of all the slanderers I had here
You are the only ones left…
The reason: the rest have already understood that what I write is true...
You are probably stupid and it will take you some time to understand...
may be…
Are you a physicist or an electronics engineer?
Stupid.. leech.. poor thing..
It's possible..
Is it possible that all the scary questions you are asked here are starting to make you lose your peace?
Despite the great entertainment your paranoid delusion provides, maybe you should take a weekend off the grid.
It is still possible to see meteors outside the city, it is recommended that you try.
Strong
You poor thing has nothing to do...
miracles you are right
I have no idea how to make soap and I also have no idea how to make washing powder, everyone I asked didn't know either. Now it is already completely clear that this is alien technology that came here from outer space, there is no other possibility that humans would not have succeeded in developing such a thing themselves.
Amazing, kudos to the aliens who brought us this far 🙂
Miracles
You are another one of the leeches here…
She claimed that this technology is not mysterious.
Explain how it is not mysterious...
Isn't this the one who once called himself a "skeptic"?
Maybe ..
You're kidding, aren't you? The technology of producing fuel for cars is also unknown to the public, and there are several companies that produce fuel. This is also true for soap, yellow cheese, washing powder, pencils....
Your logic is amazing: "I am stupid and ignorant, therefore there must have been extraterrestrials here".
It's not for nothing that my father kicked you and your lies off this site.
Alien technology.
It must be very flattering to the scientists who developed these technologies that there are people who think they have developed alien technology, i.e. superhuman.
: )
But it's possible..
You don't respond. You did not respond to even one of my wishes.
I try to keep the conversation polite.
For example, I haven't called you stupid yet.
I'm just stating a number of puzzling facts about your attitudes and beliefs and asking questions that I'd love to have answered.
Why do you see this as defamation by a stupid troll?
Strong
Those who apply my nickname will receive the response they deserve...
I'm tired of responding politely to stupid trolls...
It is quite possible that I am not worthy.
There will be those who will say that my conversation with you is like giving an obstacle to a blind man.
But it's possible.. what about all those readers who do deserve your answers?
Don't they deserve to know..?
Strong
No, I'm not afraid.
You don't deserve…
It's possible..
Why are you so afraid to answer my questions?
Why do you interpret this as attacks or slander or climbing tall trees?
Strong
Look for another tree to climb...
I'm too tall for you….
It's possible..
I didn't think you would listen to my advice..
I also didn't think you would have the courage to answer my questions.
Strong
If you have nothing to write, don't write…
I don't need your advice…
rival
you ask sarcastically,
But I will answer you seriously.
First, I am following closely to gather all possible information on this topic.
Unfortunately, nowadays every effort is made by the authorized authorities to obscure information on this subject.
What helps a lot to cover the tracks, the fact that the outsiders themselves want to cover...
Regarding technological information,
I have no doubt that over the last few centuries in particular,
Information was transferred for the development of new technologies.
It is a well-known fact that patents in the past were "discovered" at the same time in several places far from each other,
on earth..
In my opinion, we are influenced by several groups of outsiders,
which operate independently, and do not depend on each other...
Which of the technologies were given to us by whom?
I leave it only to the imagination...
It's possible..
I did not "slander" you, I stated a fact.
You claim you don't know the technology. Hence you didn't bother trying to learn about her.
Those who want to learn, start with the minimal action that a person who can read and write and has a connection to the Internet will do: checking the entry in Wikipedia.
The entry provides basic knowledge for those interested. Additional knowledge can be obtained from other sources.
I will add several questions to the list of questions you are afraid to answer:
1. Is flash memory creation technology interesting to you?
2. Have you tried to learn about her? If so, how?
3. If not, why do you think the technology is mysterious?
Maybe... I suggest you read it in order.
Strong
You are added to the list of writers here that all they know is to slander...
If you don't know, keep quiet (may the deaf be considered wise...).
I don't need your grades on what I know and what I don't.
I hope that next time I won't have to respond to you in a harsher tone...
maybe…,
Do you think this technology came to us as a result of a visit by extraterrestrials to Earth?
What do you think the chances are that this is indoor?
I would love your sincere answer.
It's possible..
You don't know the above technology because no you don't bother to learn about the technology.
Even the minimal effort of reading the Wikipedia entry seems beyond your ability.
It seems that what you want is for someone to read the material for you in English, translate it into Hebrew and simplify it for you into a few catchy sentences.
And if that's not enough, you believe that if you don't know something, "the public" doesn't know it.
Ariel
I have a feeling that you have a problem with reading comprehension...
The definition of "mysterious" is that it is not visible... (from the word "hidden").
If he and probably you also claim that there is no mystery in technology
of the flash memory, so please, both of you are welcome to find out
This technology, since of course you know it...
Since I argued here earlier, that it is clear that the technology is known to a large number of manufacturers
But she is not known to the general public...
I do not know her…
It is possible, if Nissim claims that this technology is not mysterious, then what mysteries must be revealed? If you are so insistent there is something wonderful called google where you can write down your questions and get answers or is it mysterious to you?
Miracles
If you claim that the technology is not mysterious,
So you are welcome to reveal the mystery…
May be
I agree with you that replacing a magnetic disk with flash memory is an amazing thing. I'm just saying that the technology is not mysterious.
incidentally
Those who once "burned" memories on a clumsy EPROM
in a small volume, and knowing what difficulties it involved,
Only he can appreciate the incredible breakthrough
On the topic of flash memories...
Miracles
No one claimed it was an innovative thing…
The first memories were small.
What made the phenomenon impressive and a breakthrough,
The ability of these memories to replace hard disks
Both in terms of volume and speed.
Prices today have reached such a level that will not be found in the future,
No electronic device, even the smallest, will not contain these memories.
This is really a revolution that the public still does not understand the scope and its consequences...
rival
A paranoia has developed here, nicknamed maybe...
I look forward to learning something new from you...
All you had to say, more slander...
maybe…,
I wasn't angry at all, I was simply stating a fact that I think all the commenters here agree on, your messages are full of disproportionate suspicion or logic regarding everything that is said to the public, certainly in the scientific field. For you if you didn't see the experiment with your own eyes then it must be a lie or technology that came to earth from aliens that landed here.
Come on, it's just ridiculous. I can't tell you what technology is used to produce flash memory cards because I'm really not knowledgeable in the field, but I have no reason to assume that some alien technology is being hidden from the public. I'm sure you can find all the answers online on sites that deal with this.
Maybe ..
Flash memories have been around for over thirty years. It's not exactly something new.
rival
I don't know what upset you...
I would appreciate it if you could teach me what technology is used
For the production of flash memory cards...
maybe…,
Why do you call yourself "maybe"? Calling yourself "the man of conspiracies" is much more suitable for you.
You probably also think that the earth is flat but the scientists hide it from us.
incidentally
The fact that the number of flash card manufacturers is increasing day by day
Proves that this is a technology that was previously published in many...
rival
You're absolutely right,
But it is very possible that some of the published innovations
are already being implemented in practice, without making it public...
I did not investigate what wonderful technology is used
For the production of flash memory components and disk-on-key memories.
In the early sixties, IBM produced a memory of 4000 bytes (4 K)
In a 1 x 1 square meter box...
Yigal it's not pretty, the scientists are working very hard on it.
The truth is already hard to follow, I've been reading for at least 10 years about transistors and other electronic components that were realized in laboratory conditions at the level of molecules and even of a single atom... where else can you go? quarks?
: )
A diode is immersed in the solution