Journal article
Current-voltage curves of atomic-sized transition metal contacts: An explanation of why Au is ohmic and Pt is not
Aarhus University1
Theoretical Nanoelectronics Group, Theory Section, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark2
Theory Section, Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark3
Department of Micro- and Nanotechnology, Technical University of Denmark4
Leiden University5
We present an experimental study of current-voltage (I-V) curves on atomic-sized Au and Pt contacts formed under cryogenic vacuum (4.2 K). Whereas I-V curves for Au are almost Ohmic, the conductance G=I/V for Pt decreases with increasing voltage, resulting in distinct nonlinear I-V behavior. The experimental results are compared with first principles density functional theory calculations for Au and Pt, and good agreement is found.
The difference in conductance properties for Pt vs Au can be explained by the underlying electron valence structure: Pt has an open d shell while Au has not.
Language: | English |
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Year: | 2002 |
Pages: | 066804 |
ISSN: | 10797114 and 00319007 |
Types: | Journal article |
DOI: | 10.1103/PhysRevLett.89.066804 |
ORCIDs: | Brandbyge, Mads |