Type conversion of n-type silicon nanowires to p-type by diffusion of gold ions

The simple type conversion of n-type silicon nanowires (SiNWs) to p-type by the diffusion of Au ions is demonstrated in this study. An Au thin film with a thickness of 10 nm was thermally deposited on an n-type SiNW and a rapid thermal annealing process was performed subsequently to diffuse the Au ions into the SiNW. The electrical characteristics of a back-gate field-effect transistor with a channel composed of the Au-diffused SiNW show that the Au-diffused SiNW acts as a p-type one. The type conversion phenomenon of the SiNW caused by the diffusion of Au ions is discussed in detail in this paper.