Correlation of geometrical and electronic properties in metallic nanowires

authored by: Herbert Pfnür, Christoph Tegenkamp, M. Czubanowski, Daniel Lükermann, J. P. Rönspies, S. Wießell
Abstract: The structure on the atomic scale was found to be directly correlated with the electronic and transport properties of ultra-thin metallic wires. We present examples of both self-organized and artificially structured nanowires in the system Pb/Si(557). We demonstrate that artificial structuring on the nanoscale allows identification and determination of the electrical transport properties of atomic size defects, using Si(557) as a quasi-insulating substrate and a Si double step in a monolayer high Pb nanowire as an example. One-dimensional (1D) properties with strong electron correlation and various instabilities in metallic chains or ribbons generated by metal adsorption of sub-monolayers on insulating substrates like Si(111) or Si(557) turn out to always be modified by the unavoidable coupling to 2D and 3D. The wealth of new and partly unexpected phenomena is exemplified here again in monolayers of Pb on Si(557), which forms wire-like arrays. We identify structural self-stabilization as the origin of 1D electronic transport and show that a new 1D state is generated by step decoration. Magnetoconductance measurements yield even deeper insight into mechanisms of electronic transport, as also exemplified in this specific system.
Organisation(s): Institute of Solid State Physics
Type: Article
Journal: Physica Status Solidi (B) Basic Research
Volume: 247
Pages: 2509-2521
No. of pages: 13
ISSN: 0370-1972
Publication date: 07.09.2010
Publication status: Published
Peer reviewed: Yes
ASJC Scopus subject areas: Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials, Condensed Matter Physics
Electronic version(s): https://doi.org/10.1002/pssb.201046103 (Access: Unknown)

BibTeX

@article{c9c38fba6592493b8c9da68391aba696,
title = "Correlation of geometrical and electronic properties in metallic nanowires",
abstract = "The structure on the atomic scale was found to be directly correlated with the electronic and transport properties of ultra-thin metallic wires. We present examples of both self-organized and artificially structured nanowires in the system Pb/Si(557). We demonstrate that artificial structuring on the nanoscale allows identification and determination of the electrical transport properties of atomic size defects, using Si(557) as a quasi-insulating substrate and a Si double step in a monolayer high Pb nanowire as an example. One-dimensional (1D) properties with strong electron correlation and various instabilities in metallic chains or ribbons generated by metal adsorption of sub-monolayers on insulating substrates like Si(111) or Si(557) turn out to always be modified by the unavoidable coupling to 2D and 3D. The wealth of new and partly unexpected phenomena is exemplified here again in monolayers of Pb on Si(557), which forms wire-like arrays. We identify structural self-stabilization as the origin of 1D electronic transport and show that a new 1D state is generated by step decoration. Magnetoconductance measurements yield even deeper insight into mechanisms of electronic transport, as also exemplified in this specific system.",
keywords = "Electronic transport, Nanowires, Pb, Si",
author = "Herbert Pfn{\"u}r and Christoph Tegenkamp and M. Czubanowski and Daniel L{\"u}kermann and R{\"o}nspies, {J. P.} and S. Wie{\ss}ell",
year = "2010",
month = sep,
day = "7",
doi = "10.1002/pssb.201046103",
language = "English",
volume = "247",
pages = "2509--2521",
journal = "Physica Status Solidi (B) Basic Research",
issn = "0370-1972",
publisher = "Wiley-VCH Verlag",
number = "10",
}