Such materials as metals and metals' oxidesberkeman said:Can you say more about your question? What kind of material? Silicon?
A few nanometres would be something like a dozen atoms thick.DyerMaker said:How hard and costy is it to manufacture a layer of substance a few nanometers wide and how useful such structures would be?
DaveE said:Does Graphene count? It's not a metal, but it conducts electricity and heat as well as metals. There are lots of YouTube videos about making it, like this one:
I have in mind, first of all, such application as MIM diodes.berkeman said:You mean like nanoparticles?
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nanoparticle
Well, semiconductors currently have nanometer-size features, and are pretty important (obviously).
Nanoparticles have some interesting applications...
What applications do you have in mind?
What reading have you been doing about MIM diodes? Has there been recent research and development into them since the initial work a few decades ago?DyerMaker said:I have in mind, first of all, such application as MIM diodes.
Achieving precise control over the thickness of layers in nanometer-wide substances is extremely challenging. It requires advanced techniques such as atomic layer deposition (ALD) or molecular beam epitaxy (MBE), which can control layer thickness at the atomic level. These processes need highly specialized equipment and stringent environmental controls to maintain the required precision.
The main challenges include maintaining uniformity and consistency across large areas, preventing contamination, and ensuring the stability of the layers. Additionally, the equipment and methods used must be capable of operating at the nanoscale, which often involves overcoming significant technical and material science hurdles.
The equipment required for manufacturing nanometer-wide layered substances is extremely costly. High-precision deposition systems like ALD or MBE can cost millions of dollars. Additionally, the maintenance and operation of such equipment require highly skilled personnel, adding to the overall expense.
Common materials used include semiconductors like silicon and gallium arsenide, metals like gold and platinum, and various oxides and nitrides. The choice of material depends on the intended application and desired properties of the final product.
While traditional methods like ALD and MBE are expensive, research is ongoing into more cost-effective alternatives such as solution-based processes, self-assembly techniques, and roll-to-roll manufacturing. These methods aim to reduce costs while still achieving the required precision and quality, but they are not yet as widely adopted or proven as the traditional methods.