Research

Outline

The Department of Quantum Molecular Devices is engaged in the study for novel devices with quantum effects and molecular functions. This area, which combines nanoelectronics, molecular nanotechnology and bioelectronics, is still in the early stage of development. For this far target, we are

(1) studying surface physics and thin film growth in mesoscopic-scale,

(2) developing processes for fabrication of nanostructures and arrangement of bio-molecules on semiconductor substrates,

(3) investigating the properties of these structures and characteristics as possible devices,

(4) studying DNA computing and

(5) developing bio-sensors and chips and the chemical imaging sensor system.

Subjects

For more details, please read titles of published papers and Keywords.

Atomic Steps on Surfaces

Thermodynamic properties and Statistical Analysis of Steps on Si surfaces by (UHV-STM)

Nanofabrication and Diagnostic Techniques / STM

Developement of Novel Nano-fabrication Technique

Characterization of Electronic Structure and Quantum Properties by UHV-STM, SEM

Electron Tunneling through SiO₂/Si Structures in STM

Nanofabrication and Diagnostic Techniques / AFM

Development of Novel Nano-fabrication Techniques

STM/AFM Study of Epitaxial Growth on Si and Layered Materials

Fractal Analysis of Surface Roughness

Scaling Analysis of Self-Affine Fractal Surfaces

Light Scattering Analysis

Study of Light-Scattering at Rough Surfaces and by small particles

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STM/AFM Study of Biomolecules

Characterization

Nano-patterning of proteins and DNAs

DNA Computing (joint project with Tanizawa Labo.)

Chemical Imaging Sensor and Bio-Sensor

Development and Application of Chemical Imaging Sensor

Study of Protein-Protein Interaction by Spectroscopic Ellipsometry (joint project with Tanizawa Labo.)

Chemical Waves

Elemental functions

Chemical wave circuits

Others

Topics

Step dynamics on Si surfaces Understanding the mechanism of formation and stability of the nano-structures on Si surfaces is important for the development of future semiconductor devices. The dynamic properties of surface structures on the nano-scale are largely governed by the properties of atomic steps. We have investigated the dynamics of steps on Si surfaces, using variable temperature scanning tunneling microscope.	STM images of a Si(113) surface annealed at (left) 1100C and (right) 750C.
	Imaging Biomolecules by SPM We are investigating, both by STM and AFM, biomolecules and specially proteins on various substrates and environments. Our interests are focused on the imaging mechanisms, structures, interactions with surfaces and technological applications in biomaterials and the bio-electronic interface. These are two images of proteins on silicon surfaces.
"Chemical Eyes" with a laser beam and silicon (compact and full documents) The laser-scanning chemical imaging sensor is a new type of semiconductor-based chemical sensor that can visualize the two-dimensional distribution of chemicals in the specimen. We develop the measurement system and apply this new method to various kinds of biological and (electro-) chemical specimens.	A pH image of an E coli. colony measured with the laser-scanning chemical imaging sensor.

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