Mechanical fabrication of metal nano contacts showing conductance quantization under electrochemical potential control

概要

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We have mechanically fabricated Ni and Cu nano constrictions in solution, and studied their electrical conductance under the electrochemical potential control. Conductance quantization can be observed with both metals. This is the first observation of the conductance quantization behavior for non-gold metal nano constrictions, which are mechanically fabricated in solution at room temperature. The conductance of Cu was quantized in units of G0 (=2e2/h), and a sharp 1 G0 peak is observed in the conductance histogram. For Ni, a conductance plateau showed a slightly negative slope, and a broad peak at 1~1.5 G0 was observed in the histogram. The conductance quantization behavior was discussed by comparing the result of nano constrictions fabricated in non-solution condition, with those fabricated by an electrochemical method. It is suggested that a certain atomic configuration was stabilized in solution under the electrochemical potential control.
Elsevierの論文