The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 22, 2009
Filed:
May. 16, 2002
Andrew Graham, München, DE;
Franz Hofmann, München, DE;
Johannes Kretz, München, DE;
Franz Kreupl, München, DE;
Richard Luyken, München, DE;
Wolfgang Rösner, Ottobrunn, DE;
Andrew Graham, München, DE;
Franz Hofmann, München, DE;
Johannes Kretz, München, DE;
Franz Kreupl, München, DE;
Richard Luyken, München, DE;
Wolfgang Rösner, Ottobrunn, DE;
Infineon Technologies AG, , DE;
Abstract
A nanotube array and a method for producing a nanotube array. The nanotube array has a substrate, a catalyst layer, which includes one or more subregions, on the surface of the substrate and at least one nanotube arranged on the surface of the catalyst layer, parallel to the surface of the substrate. The at least one nanotube being arranged parallel to the surface of the substrate results in a planar arrangement of at least one nanotube. Therefore, the nanotube array of the invention is suitable for coupling to conventional silicon microelectronics. Therefore, according to the invention it is possible for a nanotube array to be electronically coupled to macroscopic semiconductor electronics. Furthermore, the nanotube array according to the invention may have an electrically insulating layer between the substrate and the catalyst layer. This electrically insulating layer preferably has a topography which is such that the at least one nanotube rests on the electrically insulating layer at its end sections and is uncovered in its central section. As a result of the surface of the at least one nanotube being partly uncovered, the uncovered surface of the nanotube can be used as an active sensor surface. For example, the uncovered surface of the nanotube can come into operative contact with an atmosphere which surrounds the nanotube array. The electrical resistance of a nanotube changes significantly in the presence of certain gases. Thus because the nanotube is clear and uncovered, the nanotube array can be used in many sensor applications.