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Spectroscopy of biological compounds with inelastic electron tunneling | JoVE Visualize

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Spectroscopy of biological compounds with inelastic electron tunneling

P K Hansma, R V Coleman

Science (New York, N.Y.)|June 28, 1974

View abstract on PubMed

Summary

Organic compounds can be doped into metal-insulator-metal electron tunnel junctions. This method yields vibrational spectra similar to infrared or Raman spectroscopy using minimal sample amounts.

Area of Science:

Materials Science
Spectroscopy
Organic Electronics

Background:

Metal-insulator-metal (MIM) devices are crucial for electronic applications.
Characterizing organic compounds often requires significant sample quantities.
Vibrational spectroscopy techniques like infrared and Raman are standard for molecular analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop a novel method for doping organic compounds into MIM tunnel junctions.
To demonstrate that electrical measurements of doped MIM junctions can provide vibrational spectra.
To establish a technique requiring only micrograms of sample material.

Main Methods:

Solution doping of organic compounds onto insulator layers within MIM tunnel junctions.
Spin-coating excess solution to achieve a thin, uniform layer.
Electrical measurement of the second derivative of voltage with respect to current (d²V/dI²) as a function of applied voltage.

Main Results:

The d²V/dI² spectrum reveals peaks corresponding to vibrational modes of the organic compound.
The obtained spectra are analogous to infrared or Raman spectra.
The technique is effective with very small sample quantities (micrograms).

Conclusions:

Solution doping of organic compounds into MIM tunnel junctions is a viable method.
Electrical characterization of these doped junctions provides valuable vibrational information.
This technique offers a low-sample-consumption alternative for vibrational spectroscopy.

Electrical Engineering

Engineering Electromagnetics

Spectroscopy Of Biological Compounds With Inelastic Electron Tunneling