Quantum conductance properties of metal nanowires

We have studied structural and electrical behavior of nanowires generated by mechanical elongation using in situ High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy and ultra-high-vacuum Mechanically Controllable Break Junction. It has been observed that the narrowest region of metal constriction is crystalline and defect-free. In particular, gold nanowires adopt only three types of atomic arrangement; a model correlating these three structures and the quantum conductance behavior is proposed, which showed a remarkable agreement with electrical transport measurements. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.