Photoelectrical effect and current-voltage characteristics in DNA-metal Schottky barriers

De Yu Zang; James G. Grote

doi:10.1117/12.716083

8 February 2007 Photoelectrical effect and current-voltage characteristics in DNA-metal Schottky barriers

De Yu Zang, James G. Grote

Proceedings Volume 6470, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices IX; 64700A (2007) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.716083
Event: Integrated Optoelectronic Devices 2007, 2007, San Jose, California, United States

Abstract

We report the first observation of unanticipated photoelectric effects (PE) under visible and near-infrared illuminations and diode-type rectifying current-voltage (I-V) characteristics in DNA-metal contact devices. These devices are constructed with DNA film sandwiched between gold (or some other metal) and transparent conductive ITO electrodes. Since the gold work function and the bangaps of ITO and DNA are greater than 4 eV, in order to release an electron in these materials, the photon energy must be greater than 4 eV, indicating an ultraviolet light source is needed. To explain these phenomena, we hypothesize that a Schottky barrier was formed at DNA-gold interfaces when the gold layer was deposited on the soft DNA film during the sputtering process. The Schottky barrier could replace the gold work function in the DNA-gold interface and greatly reduce the potential barriers. The lowered Schottky potential barrier allowed the electrons, excited by lower photon energies, to overcome the barrier into the conduction band and generate photocurrent. The observed photoelectrical effect was used to measure a ~1.52eV Schottky barrier height in DNA-gold contacts. Furthermore, we measured static I-V characteristics of the DNA-metal devices showing typical diode-rectifying behaviors. The observed photoelectrical effect and I-V characteristics strongly suggest a Schottky barrier at the DNA-metal interface.

Citation Download Citation

De Yu Zang and James G. Grote "Photoelectrical effect and current-voltage characteristics in DNA-metal Schottky barriers", Proc. SPIE 6470, Organic Photonic Materials and Devices IX, 64700A (8 February 2007); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.716083

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