Template synthesis and forming electrical contacts to single Au nanowires by focused ion beam techniques

Metallic Au nanowires were electrochemically synthesized in 20 mu m thick ion track etched polycarbonate membranes with the nominal pore diameter of 200 nm. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis and x-ray diffraction of samples revealed that the nanowires are dense with a fcc (111) texturing. The I-V characteristics of a single An nanowire were investigated using a four-point microprobe set-up. The Au nanowire was placed in electrical contact with electrodes patterned on planar substrates using a dual-beam focused ion beam technique. The resistivity of the An nanowires was found to be 2.8 x 10(-4) Omega cm.