Electronic Transport through a Bending Contact

U. Schröter
2006 Acta Physica Polonica. A  
The so-called "break-junction technique" allows us to realize contacts only single-atom in diameter at their thinnest point. Electronic transport through such narrow constrictions shows a quantum mechanical signature which is well described in a transport channel picture. Each individual contact is characterized by an ensemble of channel transmission probabilities. Preferred total conductance values as well as the number of channels, however, turn out to be universal for the material
more » ... d, despite the lack of control of the exact contact geometry. PACS numbers: 73.23.-b, 74.50.+r, 74.45.+c (305)
doi:10.12693/aphyspola.109.305 fatcat:wkj6jgvisjhsfed5eriuyuvhqe