Terahertz Spectroscopy of Individual Carbon Nanotubes

Anthony Annunziata '05

Advisor: Dr. Beth Parks

Carbon nanotubes are nanometer diameter hollow tubes of carbon that are ideal one-dimensional conductors. They are being developed as elements in molecular electronics. This application requires characterization of nanotubes at very high frequencies (THz).  This project facilitates such study by incorporating individual carbon nanotubes into broadband (bow tie) antennas for characterization using terahertz time domain spectroscopy. Antenna and related microstructures were designed and patterned on a silicon substrate using optical photolithography at the Cornell Nanofabrication Facility. Carbon nanotubes were grown using chemical vapor deposition in cooperation with the McEuen research group at Cornell University. The project is ongoing.