Sub-Kelvin transport spectroscopy of fullerene peapod quantum dots

The authors have studied electrical transport properties of individual C-60 fullerene peapods, i.e., single-wall carbon nanotubes encapsulating C-60 molecules. Their measurements indicated power lawlike temperature dependencies of linear conductance similar to those for empty nanotubes. At temperatures below 30 K, peapod devices behaved as highly regular individual quantum dots showing regular Coulomb blockade oscillations. Signatures of Kondo physics appeared at the lowest measurement temperature of 315 mK. (c) 2006 American Institute of Physics.