Quantum condulance in metal point contacts

• Grant number: 02/02856-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Post-Doctoral
• Start date: July 01, 2002
• End date: June 30, 2004
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Physics - Condensed Matter Physics
• Principal Investigator: Daniel Mario Ugarte
• Grantee: Juan Carlos Gonzalez Perez
• Host Institution: Associação Brasileira de Tecnologia de Luz Síncrotron (ABTLuS). Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Inovação (Brasil). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The miniaturization generated by the Computer industry is searching new architectures or just technological options to replace the Silicon technology; a typical example is the suggestion of molecular electronics. The electronic transport properties through a nanosystems (ex. a molecular transistor) becomes a fundamental issue for progress. The active elements of nanodevices must be connected through point contacts, which are, themselves, nanometric systems. It can be easily seen that there are many aspects to be understood before a nanometric component can be fully optimized. Until now, most studies have concentrated in monovalent noble metal point contacts (gold and silver). In this project, we aim to study the effects of chemical valence in the electronic transport through metal point contacts, in particular for Al, Nb and Pb. These studies will both involve the atomic arrangement determination through HRTEM, and conductance measurement through a homemade dedicated instrument. (AU)