Fig A: Five-probe device coupling photolithography and FIB-SEM.
1. Chiral-Induced Spin Selectivity (CISS)
At the Weizmann Institute, I investigated the role of electron spin in water splitting. By coating Nickel electrodes with chiral molecules, we achieved a 10% increase in Hydrogen Evolution Reaction (HER) efficiency.
2. Novel Synthesis: Dynamic Hydrothermal (DH)
Standard hydrothermal methods often yield large, uncontrolled crystals due to diffusion limitations. To solve this, I developed a proprietary “Dynamic Hydrothermal” (DH) protocol involving in-situ stirring at high temperatures ($265^{\circ}C$).
- The Breakthrough: This process successfully stabilized LKMO Nanorods and truncated cubes—morphologies that were previously impossible to achieve via static methods.
- Why it Matters: High-aspect-ratio nanorods provide ideal pathways for electron transport, crucial for next-gen device applications.
Figure 1: SEM micrographs of high-aspect-ratio LKMO nanorods obtained via the novel DH protocol.
3. Single Nanorod Device Fabrication
To understand the intrinsic transport properties of these nanorods, I fabricated single-particle devices.
Fabrication Protocol
- Dispersal: Nanorods were dispersed on $Si/SiO_2$ wafers with alignment markers.
- Lithography: Used Electron-Beam Lithography (EBL) to pattern sub-100nm contacts on individual rods.
- Deposition: Orion Sputtering was used to deposit Pt/Au contacts.
Fig B: Six-probe FET on a single LKMO nanorod.
Results
- Yield: Achieved an 80% device yield rate through optimized resist baking and development protocols.
- Transport Physics: The devices allowed us to characterize the metal-semiconductor junction and carrier mobility in perovskite nanostructures.