Fine tuning of Au/SiO2/Si diodes by varying interfacial dipoles using molecular monolayers

The electron affinity of semiconductors and the work function of metals can be systematically varied by the adsorption of a series of organic molecule s with varying dipole moment. This effect can be used to induce molecular c ontrol over the electrical characteristics of some metal/semiconductor diod es. The variety of molecules that can be bonded to metals, together with th ose that are available for bonding to semiconductors, makes the method quit e flexible and may enable the build up of more sophisticated interfacial st ructures.