100 likes | 111 Views
ZnO-based Multifunctional and Tunable Sensors Dr. Yicheng Lu WINLAB Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering Rutgers University Sept. 23 2003
E N D
ZnO-based Multifunctional and Tunable Sensors Dr. Yicheng Lu WINLAB Dept. of Electrical and Computer Engineering Rutgers University Sept. 23 2003 The project has been supported by NSF under the grants ECS 00-88549, CCR 013096, ECS 0224188 and by US Army CECOM, and by NJCST Excellent Center program (MUSE).
Introduction: ZnO Materials for Sensors • II-VI compound semiconductor: • Direct bandgap, with Eg3.32 eV. • Bandgap engineering: alloy with Cd or Mg to tailor bandgap from 2.8eV to 4.0eV. • Multi-functional: • Hexagonal wurtzite class crystal => piezoelectricty with large coupling coefficient. • Large and fast photoconductivity => optical sensing. • Al or Ga doping => transparent conductive oxide. • Li & Mg doping => ferroelectric. • Alloyed with Mn => magnetic oxide semiconductor. • Integrate electrical, optical and piezoelectrical properties => MITSAW chip for sensor technology
Structure of ZnO Films on r-sapphire • The as-grown film on r-sapphire is dense and very smooth • The c-axis of ZnO is in the plane of the film • Interface is sharp and semi-coherent • The total misfit accommodated by strained regions
Advantages of MITSAW Biosensors • ZnO/r-Al2O3 structures: high frequency & low loss operation; • MITSAW biosensor: resettable and tunable, therefore increasing the sensor’s lifetime • Dual SAW modes operation (gas-phase and liquid-phase sensing); • Operating in UV and acoustic mode (SAW and BAW), increasing the accuracy. • It can be integrated with Si IC through SOS technology: sensor-on-chip; lab-on-chip MUSE biosensor chip based on MITSAW technology.
Physical structure of a MgxZn1-xO bulk acoustic wave device Simulated BAW frequency response extrapolation of Mg tailoring function MgxZn1-xO-based BAW Sensor Operating at high frequency. Can be integrated with electronic circuits on silicon chip => smart sensor. An array of micromachined thin film resonators (TFRs) will selective coatings. Dramatically improve sensor reliability and allow detection and measurement of multiple chemicals simultaneously.
Zero-Power Remote Wireless Sensors • Base station sends interrogation pulse. • The antenna picks the pulse; the SAW IDT launches a wave packet. • The wave packet travels across the delay path, is reflected by the reflecting array. • The reflected wave generates a signal at the IDT. • The antenna send a response pulse. • 2DEG bias determines acoustic velocity, hence response delay time. • Thus the device is a wireless read-out element for a voltage-generating sensor, wireless tags, etc. • Application for wireless and networked sensors for homeland security.
MgxZn1-xO-based UV Sensor Advantages: • Wide and direct band gap (3.3eV) • Eg tunable from 3.3 to 5.8 eV by alloying ZnO with MgO to form MgxZn1-xO. • Large photoresponse • High photoconductivity Applications: • DNA sensors for bio defense • Sensors for missile defense • Flame detection
Nanostructured Biosensors • ZnO nanotip and nanotip arrays • Binding sites for biomolecules, such as DNA • High device density • Fast response • ZnO biosensors will be used to detect RNA-DNA, DNA-DNA, protein-protein, protein-DNA, and protein-small molecules interactions. • Experiments have proved the ZnO nanotips greatly enhance the immobilization of DNA and protein molecules. • Examples: • proteins - DNA-RNA • whole bacterial cells - tissues
Broad Impact • Multifunctional and tunable sensors have a variety of very important practical applications • health care (medical and genetic diagnostics) • environmental monitoring (control of pollution and detection of hazardous chemicals) • food analysis (detection of ingredients, contamination etc.) • detection of biological warfare agents. • As an example, a world market for over trillion sensors by 2010 is estimated, growing to ~$3-5B in 2005. • The research results strengthen nation’s technology capabilities in the emerging area of multi-mode, multifunctional biological and biochemical sensors • Accelerate deployment of biochemical sensor networks, secure wireless systems for national and state-level public infrastructure uses such as environmental monitoring, hospital management, and homeland security.
Achievements of ZnO Research at Rutgers • High quality MOCVD ZnO and MgxZn1-xO thin films on R-Al2O3 and SiO2/Si. • Low loss ZnO/R-Al2O3 SAW devices. • The first high speed ZnO MSM photoconductive and Schottky UV photodetectors. • The first optically addressed normal incidence ZnO UV high contrast modulator. • The first ZnO Schottky devices on R-Al2O3. • Novel ZnO nanostructures. • Novel MITSAW chip technology. • 5 patents awarded and 8 more pending