Effect of surface free energy in gate dielectric in pentacene thin-film transistors

The surface free energy of a dielectric has a strong influence on the performance of pentacene thin-film transistors. Research shows that by matching surface free energy in the interface of the dielectric and the orthorhombic thin-film phase of pentacene film, the field-effect mobility of transistors is enhanced reaching above 2.0 cm(2)/V s. The authors suggested that a more complete first monolayer of pentacene was formed upon the gate dielectric surface with almost identical surface free energy, benefiting carrier transportation. The research also discusses the mechanism of surface free energy effects on the crystalline size and structural disorder in pentacene film. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.