Growth of self-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes by laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition

Abstract

Controllable growth of self-aligned single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) was developed using laser-assisted chemical vapor deposition (LCVD) method. By integrating both electrical-field and gas-flow induced orientation effects in the LCVD process, SWNT growth direction was decided. According to Raman measurements, narrow diameter distribution of the SWNTs was realized by controlling reaction temperature and catalyst size. Individual SWNT bridging opposite Mo electrodes was achieved by creating local electrical field using point-to-point electrodes. Back-gated single-walled carbon nanotube based field-effect transistors (SWNT-FETs) were fabricated using LCVD method, and showed typical <i>p</i>-type behavior.