Gold nanoparticle single-electron transistor with carbon nanotube leads

We have used carbon nanotubes to electrically contact a 7 nm gold particle by scanning-probe manipulation. The result was a single-electron transistor showing a periodic modulation of the current as a function of gate voltage for temperatures up to similar to 200 K, with the particle responsible for the main features of the electron transport. This interpretation could be verified when the particle was removed and the two nanotubes were moved into electrical contact. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.