Near Zero-Threshold Voltage P-N Junction Diodes Based on Super-Semiconducting Nanostructured Ag/Al Arrays.

Li, Zhigang; Li, Jiteng; Wang, Weike; Yan, Qijie; Zhou, Yongrui; Zhu, Luping; Cao, Bingqiang; Wei, Bingqing · Adv Mater · 2023

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

Semiconductor devices are currently one of the most common energy consumption devices. Significantly reducing the energy consumption of semiconductor devices with advanced energy-efficient technologies is highly desirable. The discovery of super-semiconductors (SSCs) based on metallic bi-layer shell arrays provides an opportunity to realize ultra-low-power consumption semiconductor devices. As an example, the achievement of near zero-threshold voltage in p-n junction diodes based on super-semiconducting nanostructured Ag/Al arrays is reported, realizing ultra-low-power p-n junction diodes: ≈3 W per trillion diodes with a working voltage of 1 V or 30 mW per trillion diodes with an operating voltage of 0.1 V. In addition, the p-n junction diodes exhibit a high breakdown field of ≈1.1 × 10<sup>6</sup>  V cm<sup>-1</sup> , similar to that of SiC and GaN, due to a robust built-in field driven by infrared light photons. The SSC p-n diodes with near zero-threshold voltage and high breakdown field allow access to ultra-low-power semiconducting transistors, integrated circuits, chips, etc.