Control over the interface properties of carbon nanotube-based optoelectronic memory devices

Abstract

Optoelectronic nonvolatile memory elements based on polymer-coated carbon nanotube devices can serve as building blocks in programmable circuits. Although essential for improving the circuit performances, the details of the charge trapping mechanism in these mixed organic/inorganic optoelectronic devices are not fully elucidated. The detailed mechanism was investigated by intercalating layers of a hydrophobic organic dielectric (parylene) at different interfaces in the device structure. A thin parylene layer separating the SiO2/nanotube interface from the photosensitive polymer coating is presented as an optimized solution in terms of charging, stability, and robustness.