Electric-field-induced orientation control of organic semiconductor rubrene crystals

The electric field-induced orientation of rubrene single crystals was observed in a nonpolar solvent. Rubrene single microcrystals responded to an AC electric field beyond a crystal-size dependent threshold. The longitudinal axis, i.e., b-axis, of rubrene single crystals on a SiO2/Si substrate was aligned almost parallel to the direction of the applied electric field. Field-effect transistors with these orientated crystals exhibited low variability of the carrier mobility.

► We have observed electric-field-induced orientation of rubrene single crystals.
► The b-axis was aligned together in the parallel direction to applied electric field.
► The FET exhibited the low variability of carrier mobility.