Project 7

AI-Optimized Plasmon Field-Effect Transistors (PFETs) for High-Sensitivity Optoelectronic Sensing

(dr. Sung jin KIM, EcE)

Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) is an oscillation of electrons generated by light absorption in nanostructures. We use Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance (LSPR), produced in 0-dimensional metallic nanostructures such as gold or silver nanoparticles. We developed a hybrid device, a Plasmon Field Effect Transistor (PFET), using gold nanostructures and a thin-film transistor (Figure 3). The LSPR absorption of the gold nanostructure can be tailored by controlling its size and surrounding medium, and the absorbed light energy is converted into an amplified current by the transistor. Due to its sensitivity and unique light-to-current conversion capability, this device can be used for biomedical sensors, gas sensors, and tailored photodetectors [1-4]. The goal of this project is to understand the fundamentals of LSPR, plasmonic device physics, and semiconductor microfabrication while gaining hands-on experience in nanofabrication, optoelectronic characterization, and AI optimization. The REU student will fabricate PFET devices, characterize optical and electrical performance, and analyze experimental data. The student will also learn to apply AI and machine learning (ML) techniques using Python to analyze sensor data, identify correlations between nanostructure geometry and device performance, and develop predictive models for device optimization. This interdisciplinary experience introduces the growing role of AI in nanotechnology and smart sensor development. Students interested in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Materials Science, Physics, Optics, Computer Science, or Chemistry are excellent candidates for this project.

REFERENCES:

1. Hossein Shokri Kojori, Ju-Hyung Yun, Younghun Paik, Joondong Kim, Wayne A Anderson, Sung Jin Kim, "Plasmon Field Effect Transistor for Plasmon to Electric Conversion and Amplification", Nano Letters, 16, pp. 250-254, (2015)

2. Hossein Shokri Kojori, Yiwen Ji, Young Hun Paik, Adam Braunschweig, Sung Jin Kim, "Monitoring Interfacial Lectin Binding with Nanomolar Sensitivity Using a Plasmon Field Effect Transistor", Nanoscale, 8, 17357-17364 (2016)

3. Han, X., Shokri Kojori, H., Leblanc, R. M., Kim, S. J. “Ultrasensitive Plasmonic Biosensors for Real-Time Parallel Detection of Alpha-L-Fucosidase and Cardiac-Troponin-I in Whole Human Blood”, Analytical chemistry,  vol 90,  pp. 7795-7799, (2018)

4. Cho, S., A Ciappesoni, M., Allen, M. S., Allen, J. W., Leedy, K. D., Wenner, B. R., Kim, S. J. “Efficient broadband energy detection from the visible to near-infrared using a plasmon FET”, Nanotechnology, vol. 29, pp. 285201 (2018)