Patent ID: 8211765
Filing Date: 2012-07-03
Classification: B82Y,G11C,H01H,H01L,Y10S

Abstract:
1. A method of making a non-volatile, bistable nanoswitch device, the method comprising the steps of: applying an insulating layer onto a substrate surface; applying a metal mask onto the insulating layer; applying a photoresist layer onto the metal mask layer; using lithography to fabricate first, second, third, and fourth nanoscale terminal areas and first and second nanoscale channels in the photoresist, metal mask, and insulating layers, the terminal areas surrounding an insulating area containing the channels, the first and second terminal areas opposite each other and the third and fourth terminal areas opposite each other, the third terminal area connected to the first channel and the fourth terminal area connected to the second channel; carrying out a wet etch to undercut the insulating layer; applying a conductive layer onto the terminal areas, the channels, and the metal mask layer, whereby conductive terminals are formed in the terminal areas and conductive channels within the channels; removing the metal mask layer, leaving conductive layer inside the terminal areas and channels; and applying at least one single-walled or multi-walled carbon nanotube as an actuating element across the insulating area and across the first and second channels by a process comprising performing dielectrophoresis by applying a voltage between the first and second conductive terminals, wherein the nanotube provides electrical contact between the conductive layer of the first and second terminals.