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Towards Molecular Devices

Bottom-up electronics enables us to fabricate the single electron devices and molecular devices at high precision of sub-nm order by only dipping a sample into a beaker. In Majima Laboratory, we use scanning probe microscopy to understanding molecular structures and functions, such as molecular resolution scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). Utilizing these fruits of knowledge, we step forward to establishment of the bottom-up processes toward a solid state single electron devices and molecular devices with self-assembled process and Eletroless Gold Plated (EGP) nanogap electrodes. (CREST-JST project)
Main research topics are; process technology for construction of nanogap electrodes, endohedral metallofullerene single molecular orientation switch and single electron Coulomb blockade electron shuttle device using scanning probe microscopy.

Recent Research Features

Nanoparticle characterization based on STM and STS, Review Article in Chem. Soc. Rev.

Molecular Resonant Tunneling Diode (RTD), JACS

Logoc with Chemistry, ACS Nano

Research Highlights, Nature Nanotechnology

Room-Temperature Coulomb Blockade from Chemically Synthesized Au Nanoparticles Stabilized by Acid–Base Interaction

Molecular Orientation of Individual Lu@C82 Molecules Demonstrated by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy(J. Phys. Chem. C Cover Art)

Single-Electron Transistor Fabricated by Two Bottom-Up Processes of Electroless Au Plating and Chemisorption of Au Nanoparticle

Nanoparticles have gained their great attentions owning to the potential applications for Coulomb islands in double barrier tunneling junctions (DBTJs) towards "beyond CMOS" era.
We have evaluated the tunneling resistance of alkandithiol molecule between alkanthiol-protected Au nanoparticle and Au (111) substrates by means of scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). The Au nanoparticles were chemically immobilized (chemisorbed) on Au (111) substrates by alkanedithiol and alkanethiol mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs). We found that the density of Au nanoparticles can be controlled by changing the ratio of alkandithiol and alkanthiol in the mixed SAMs and the chemisorbed Au nanoparticles are stable for STS measurements.

X. Li, Y. Yasutake, K. Kono, M. Kanehara, T. Teranishi, Y. Majima.
"Au Nanoparticles Chemisorbed by Dithiol Molecules Inserted in Alkanethiol Self-Assembled Monolayers Characterized by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy"
Jpn. J. Appl. Phys., Vol. 48. pp. 04C180-1-4. 2009 ,Apr.

Research Projects

"CREST-JST" Development of Single Electron Devices by Highly Precise Bottom-up Processes (2008 ~ ongoing)

Prof. Y. Majima is Research Director on Research Project of "Development of Single Electron Devices by Highly Precise Bottom-up Processes", in the research area of "Establishment of Innovative Manufacturing Technology Based on Nanoscience (Research Supervisor; Dr. Y. Horiike)", Core Research of Evolutional Science & Technology (CREST) - Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Emergence of Highly Elaborated π-Space and Its Function(2008 ~ 2013)

Prof. Y. Majima is Research Director in "Emergence of Highly Elaborated π-Space and Its Function" (Research Supervisor: T. Akasaka, Tsukuba Univ.), Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas, MEXT, Japan

Postscaling Technology (2008)

Prof. Y. Majima was Research Director in the research area of "Postscaling Technology (Research Superviso: Prof. S. Zaima, Nagoya Univ.)", Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, MEXT, Japan.

Electron Transport through linked Molecule (2006 ~ 2008)

Prof. Y. Majima was Research Director in the research area of "Electron Transport through linked Molecule" (Research Supervisor: Prof. M. Kawai, Tokyo Univ.)", Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research on Priority Areas, MEXT, Japan.

Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A) (2006 ～ 2009)

Prof. Y. Majima was Research Director on "Study of Scanning Lorentz Force Microscopy", Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research (A), MEXT, Japan.

Solution Oriented Research for Science and Technology (SORST) JST (2003 ~ 2007)

Prof. Y. Majima was Research Representative on "Development of nanomechanical single-electron devices" in Solution Oriented Research for Science and Technology (SORST), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO) JST (2000 ~ 20003)

Prof. Y. Majima was Research Director on "Dicplacement current staircase due to Coulomb blockade and its application" in Precursory Research for Embryonic Science and Technology (PRESTO), Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST).

Research Collaborators

• Prof Toshiharu Teranishi Lab., Dept.of Chemistry, University of Tsukuba
• Prof. Kentaro Tanaka Lab., Dept. of Chemistry, Nagoya University
• Prof. Hisanori. Shinohara lab., Dept. of Chemistry, Nagoya University
• Prof. Atushi Osuka Lab., Dept. of Chemistry, Kyoto University
• Prof. Takeshi Akasaka Lab., Tsukuba Advanced Research Alliance, University of Tsukuba
• Prof. Shunichi Fukuzumi Lab., Dept. of Material and Life Science, Osaka University
• Prof. Hiroyuki Isobe Lab., Dept. of Chemistry, Tohoku University
• Prof. Hidehiro Sakurai Lab., Institute for Molecular Science, Japan
• Prof. Jun Takeya, Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research, Osaka University
• Prof. Charles G. Smith, Dept. of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.
Dr. Y. Azuma (2005/9～12), Dr. Y. Yasutake (2006/9～12), and S. Suzuki (2008/9～12) have researched at Univ. of Cambridge as a visiting researcher.
• Prof. Crispin Banes, Dept. of Physics, Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK.
• Prof. Gyoujin Cho, Department of Printed Electronics, Sunchon National University, Korea.
• Prof. Myoungho Pyo, Department of Printed Electronics, Sunchon National University, Korea.
• Prof. Young-Soo Kwon, Prof. Hoon-Kyu Shin Lab., Dong-A University, Korea.
• Prof. Angel Bustamante Dominguez, Laboratorio de Cerámicos y Nanomateriales, Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos, Peru.