Electronic devices based upon Germanium nano-crystals with durability to strong neutron irradiation

In this paper we present the preliminary experimental characterization of electronic devices based upon Germanium nano-crystals (nc-Ge) embedded in thick SiO₂ films grown on a Si substrate. The samples were prepared using Ge ion implantation followed by thermal annealing. Typical diameter of the nc-Ge is shown to be in the range of 4-10nm. Gold (Au) contacts were deposited on the top of the oxide surface allowing measurements of the electronic properties. We present preliminary experimental results of electronic properties of the nc-Ge based devices including current-voltage (I-V) and capacitance-voltage (C-V) curves of the nano-devices while illuminated by white light and an external laser at a wavelength of 532nm for various levels of intensity. The characterization curves were also obtained at different temperatures. The proposed technology of devices based on nc-Ge was proven to be insensitive to high doses of irradiation by neutrons in a research nuclear reactor, which suggests that these nc-Ge devices can be used under extreme working conditions such as strong cosmic radiation appearing in outer space.