Patent ID: 7436033

Claim:
A tri-gated molecular field effect transistor having a source region, a drain region and a channel region between the source region and the drain region, said transistor comprising: a substrate; a gate electrode formed on the substrate and having three grooves for the source region, the drain region and the channel region of said transistor respectively formed therein; a gate insulating layer formed on the gate electrode and in the grooves for the source region, the drain region and the channel region of said transistor; source and drain electrodes formed on the gate insulating layer and in the grooves for the source region and the drain region, respectively, of said transistor; and at least one molecule inserted between the source and drain electrodes and in the grove for the channel region of said transistor, wherein the groove for the channel region is narrower than the grooves for the source and drain regions; wherein said at least one molecule defines a channel in the channel region, said channel connects the source and drain electrodes; and at least two side surfaces and a bottom surface of said channel are surrounded by the gate electrode; and, wherein said substrate has a top surface that is substantially flat, and said grooves in said gate electrode are formed above said top surface of said substrate.