Electric Field Effect in Atomically Thin Carbon Films (2004)

Summary

This book's central thesis is that the electric field effect is a powerful tool for investigating the electronic properties of atomically thin carbon films, specifically graphene and related materials. It establishes that applying an external electric field can significantly alter the conductivity of these materials, a phenomenon previously unobserved in such thin carbon structures. The work details experimental techniques and theoretical models to understand how charge carriers in these films respond to electric fields, leading to the discovery of unique transport characteristics. Readers gain insight into the fundamental physics governing charge transport in two-dimensional materials and the potential for electric-field-induced modulation of their electrical behavior.

The key ideas presented include the observation of ambipolar field-effect in graphite, demonstrating that both electron and hole transport can be controlled. The book elaborates on the high carrier mobility in these films and the absence of a band gap in pristine graphene, explaining its implications for electronic devices. It discusses the role of surface states and defects in influencing the field effect. This research laid crucial groundwork for understanding and exploiting the electronic properties of graphene for future electronic and optoelectronic applications.

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Key concepts

• Electric Field Effect — The modulation of a material's conductivity by an applied external electric field.
• Ambipolar Transport — The ability of a material to conduct both electrons and holes, controlled by an electric field.
• Graphene — A single layer of carbon atoms arranged in a hexagonal lattice, exhibiting unique electronic properties.
• Carrier Mobility — A measure of how quickly charge carriers (electrons or holes) can move through a material under an electric field.
• Two-Dimensional Materials — Materials consisting of a single layer of atoms or molecules.