Graphene Domain Control via Patterned Substrate Light Radiation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Current graphene fabrication methods, such as exfoliation and direct growth, often result in defective graphene due to irregular domain sizes and shapes, leading to compromised electrical characteristics.

Innovation Solution

A method involving a graphene growth substrate with a honeycombed pattern formed by radiating light, such as intense pulsed light or laser, to control the size and shape of graphene domains, minimizing defects and enhancing quality.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If direct growth method is used to produce large area graphene, then production area is increased, but defects increase due to arbitrary growth points and irregular domain sizes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphene production areaVSAvoidgraphene domain regularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the continuous growth substrate into discrete patterned regions that serve as controlled nucleation sites. By dividing the substrate into specific geometric patterns (such as hexagonal or circular patterns with defined spacing), the method creates multiple controlled growth zones instead of arbitrary growth points, thereby maintaining large area coverage while ensuring regular domain sizes and shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention applies local quality by creating spatially varying patterns on the substrate that locally control graphene nucleation and growth. Different regions of the substrate are given different geometric patterns or densities, allowing local adjustment of domain size and shape while maintaining overall large area coverage. This localized control ensures that each domain grows with regular geometry rather than arbitrary shapes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If exfoliation method is used to obtain graphene, then flexibility is improved, but graphene pieces become broken and disorderly mixed during deposition

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphene flexibilityVSAvoidgraphene piece arrangement
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The invention performs preliminary action by pre-patterning the substrate with specific geometric structures before graphene deposition. These pre-formed patterns act as templates that guide graphene nucleation and growth, ensuring that domains form with regular sizes and shapes from the beginning. This preliminary structuring prevents the disorderly arrangement that occurs during exfoliation deposition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Area of stationary object

If arbitrary growth points are selected to form large area graphene, then coverage area is increased, but boundaries and wrinkles appear between domains

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegraphene coverage areaVSAvoiddomain boundary regularity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The invention strategically uses asymmetric pattern designs where domains are deliberately positioned and shaped with specific asymmetric geometries (such as hexagonal patterns with controlled orientation). This controlled asymmetry allows domains to interlock or meet at defined boundaries without creating wrinkles, while still achieving large area coverage. The asymmetric patterns prevent random boundary formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Solution Approach 2:

The invention employs curved or rounded geometric patterns (such as circular or hexagonal patterns with smooth boundaries) as growth templates. These curved patterns allow graphene domains to grow with smooth boundaries rather than sharp edges, reducing the formation of wrinkles at domain interfaces. The spherical or hexagonal curvature enables domains to meet more gracefully, minimizing boundary defects.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The method effectively adjusts graphene domain sizes and shapes, reducing defects and producing high-quality graphene with improved electrical characteristics.

Implementation Method 1

The graphene pattern forming step may include radiating light to the graphene growth substrate. Radiating the light may include radiating at least one of intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight radiation: Light

Implementation Method 2

Radiating the light may include radiating at least one of intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIntense pulsed light:

Implementation Method 3

Radiating the light may include radiating at least one of intense pulsed light (IPL) and laser light.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLaser light: Laser

Data Source

PatentUS11097950B2Graphene fabrication method
Publication Date: 2021.08.24 KOREA ELECTRONICS TECH INST
  • US11097950B2 patent drawing
  • US11097950B2 patent drawing
  • US11097950B2 patent drawing

AI summary

A graphene fabrication method which can obtain graphene of high quality and good characteristics by adjusting a size and a shape of a domain of graphene is provided. The method for fabricating graphene according to the present disclosure includes: a graphene pattern forming step of forming a graphene forming pattern on a graphene growth substrate; and a graphene forming step of forming a graphene layer on the graphene growth substrate having the graphene forming pattern formed thereon.