Patterning organic single-crystal transistor arrays

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

  • Alejandro L. Briseno - , Stanford University, University of California at Los Angeles (Author)
  • Stefan C.B. Mannsfeld - , Stanford University (Author)
  • Mang M. Ling - , Stanford University (Author)
  • Shuhong Liu - , Stanford University (Author)
  • Ricky J. Tseng - , University of California at Los Angeles (Author)
  • Colin Reese - , Stanford University (Author)
  • Mark E. Roberts - , Stanford University (Author)
  • Yang Yang - , University of California at Los Angeles (Author)
  • Fred Wudl - , University of California at Los Angeles (Author)
  • Zhenan Bao - , Stanford University (Author)

Abstract

Field-effect transistors made of organic single crystals are ideal for studying the charge transport characteristics of organic semiconductor materials. Their outstanding device performance, relative to that of transistors made of organic thin films, makes them also attractive candidates for electronic applications such as active matrix displays and sensor arrays. These applications require minimal cross-talk between neighbouring devices. In the case of thin film systems, simple patterning of the active semiconductor layer minimizes cross-talk. But when using organic single crystals, the only approach currently available for creating arrays of separate devices is manual selection and placing of individual crystals - a process prohibitive for producing devices at high density and with reasonable throughput. In contrast, inorganic crystals have been grown in extended arrays, and efficient and large-area fabrication of silicon crystalline islands with high mobilities for electronic applications has been reported. Here we describe a method for effectively fabricating large arrays of single crystals of a wide range of organic semiconductor materials directly onto transistor source-drain electrodes. We find that film domains of octadecyltriethoxysilane microcontact-printed onto either clean Si/SiO 2 surfaces or flexible plastic provide control over the nucleation of vapour-grown organic single crystals. This allows us to fabricate large arrays of high-performance organic single-crystal field-effect transistors with mobilities as high as 2.4 cm2 V-1 s-1 and on/off ratios greater than 107, and devices on flexible substrates that retain their performance after significant bending. These results suggest that our fabrication approach constitutes a promising step that might ultimately allow us to utilize high-performance organic single-crystal field-effect transistors for large-area electronics applications.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)913-917
Number of pages5
JournalNature
Volume444
Issue number7121
Publication statusPublished - 14 Dec 2006
Peer-reviewedYes
Externally publishedYes

Keywords