Device miniaturization has been a focus since the invention of the integrated circuit, with current industrial plans for MOSFETs with 70nm channels. Anticipating yet smaller critical dimensions physicists and chemists explore nanometer-scaledevices based on semiconductors and single molecules [1]. The small size of molecular electronic circuitry has profound device implications. Ballistic electron transport over nanometer distances allows THz switching speeds, and novel device architecturesbased on quantum effects and electron charging are conceivable. Only recently is a room temperature single-molecule device demonstrated, a transistor made from a single-wall carbon nanotube (SWNT). This is the first of a new class of molecular circuitswith potential for significant impact. Here, focus is on progress in SWNT molecular transistors and quantum effect single-electron transistors (SETs) [2,3].
展开▼
