Electrical and Optoelectronic Graphene Devices (ELOGRAPH)

The ELOGRAPH CRP combines experimental knowledge, engineering sciences and theoretical expertise within an interdisciplinary research consortium to realize and to explore the potential of graphene nanoribbon (GNR) devices. The direct band-gap and tune-ability of the band-gap in GNR-devices renders graphene-devices as promising candidates for future optoelectronic applications (e.g. on-chip optoelectronic data-links or infrared photo-detectors for thermoelectric energy harvesting of residual heat). This CRP will focus on graphene nanoribbon device fabrication, its optoelectronic characterization, numerical simulation and modeling as well. First, a novel method to grow graphene layers directly on oxidised silicon substrates will be investigated. This method is based on catalytic chemical vapour deposition (CCVD) and is compatible with state-of-the-art semiconductor processing. Second, various physical methods to control the band-gap (e.g. via GNR-width modulation or by creating regular dots or anti-dots on the graphene-sheet) will be studied theoretically and experimentally. Apart from physical methods, the possibility to tune the band-gap of a graphene-bilayer by applying a transverse electric field will be investigated in gate-controlled bilayer graphene-FETs (field-effect transistors). Finally, experimentally embedded modelling of graphene-FETs will be performed in view of integrated circuit design to provide a reliable data basis for future applications.