On the Formation of Copper Linear Atomic Suspended Chains

We report high resolution transmission electron microscopy and classical molecular dynamics simulation results of mechanically stretching copper nanowires conducting to linear atomic suspended chains (LACs) formation. In contrast with some previous experimental and theoretical work in literature that stated that the formation of LACs for copper should not exist our results showed the existence of LAC for the [111], [110], and [100] crystallographic directions, being thus the sequence of most probable occurence.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Indication Of Unusual Pentagonal Structures In Atomic-size Cu Namwires

A study of the structural and quantum conductance properties of atomic-size copper nanowires generated by mechanical stretching was presented. The time-resolved electron microscopy observations and molecular dynamics simulations were used to derive the atomistic evolution. The quantum transport behavior was analyzed by means of conductance measurements and theoretical calculations. The formation of an unusual and highly pentagonal Cu nanowires with a diameter of ∼0.45 nm and ∼4.5 conductance quanta was also shown.93121261031-126103-4Agraït, N., Yeyati, A.L., Van Ruitenbeek, J.M., (2003) Phys. Rep., 377, p. 81Gulseren, O., Ercolessi, F., Tosatti, E., (1998) Phys. Rev. Lett., 80, p. 3775Kondo, Y., Takayanagi, K., (2000) Science, 289, p. 606Oshima, Y., Onga, A., Takayanagi, K., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, p. 205503Ohnishi, H., Kondo, Y., Takayanagi, K., (1998) Nature (London), 395, p. 780Yanson, A.I., (1998) Nature (London), 395, p. 783Rodrigues, V., Fuhrer, T., Ugarte, D., (2000) Phys. Rev. Lett., 85, p. 4124Rego, L.G.C., Rocha, A.R., Rodrigues, V., Ugarte, D., (2003) Phys. Rev. B, 67, p. 045412Rodrigues, V., (2002) Phys. Rev. B, 65, p. 153402Krans, J.M., (1995) Nature (London), 375, p. 767Kondo, Y., Takayanagi, K., (1997) Phys. Rev. Lett., 79, p. 3455Rodrigues, V., Ugarte, D., (2003) Nanowires and Nanobelts, 1, p. 177. , edited by Z. L. Wang Kluwer, DordrechtRodrigues, V., Bettini, J., Silva, P.C., Ugarte, D., (2003) Phys. Rev. Lett., 91, p. 096801Marks, L.D., (1994) Rep. Prog. Phys., 57, p. 603Urban, J., (1998) Cryst. Res. Technol., 33, p. 1009Lisiecki, I., (2000) Phys. Rev. B, 61, p. 4968Emberly, E.G., Kirczenow, G., (1998) Phys. Rev. B, 58, p. 10911(1999) Phys. Rev. B, 60, p. 6028Reinhard, D., (1997) Phys. Rev. Lett., 79, p. 1459Sen, P., (2002) Phys. Rev. B, 65, p. 235433Cleri, F., Rosato, V., (1993) Phys. Rev. B, 48, p. 22Tomànek, D., Aligia, A.A., Balseiro, C.A., (1985) Phys. Rev. B, 32, p. 5051Coura, P.Z., (2004) Nano Lett., 4, p. 1187EPAPS Document No. E-PRLTAO-93-010436, E-PRLTAO-93-010436. , http://www.aip.org/pubservs/epaps.html)orfromftp.aip.orginthedirectory/ epaps, Figure 4 snapshot of a Cu nanowire being elongated along the [110] axis. A direct link to this document may be found in the online article's HTML reference section. The document may also be reached via the EPAPS homepage See the EPAPS homepage for more informatio

On the Stability and Structural Dynamics of Metal Nanowires

This article presents a brief review of the nanoscale free-electron model, which provides a continuum description of metal nanostructures. It is argued that surface and quantum-size effects are the two dominant factors in the energetics of metal nanowires, and that much of the phenomenology of nanowire stability and structural dynamics can be understood based on the interplay of these two competing factors. A linear stability analysis reveals that metal nanocylinders with certain magic conductance values G=1, 3, 6, 12, 17, 23, 34, 42, 51, 67, 78, 96, ... times the conductance quantum are exceptionally stable. A nonlinear dynamical simulation of nanowire structural evolution reveals a universal equilibrium shape consisting of a magic cylinder suspended between unduloidal contacts. The lifetimes of these metastable structures are also computed.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figure