Nonlinear resistance versus length in single-walled carbon nanotubes

Phys Rev Lett. 2002 Jan 21;88(3):036804. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.88.036804. Epub 2002 Jan 3.

Abstract

In this work fundamental properties of the electrical transport of single-walled carbon nanotubes as a function of their length are investigated. For this purpose, we have developed a new technique that allows us to characterize electronic transport properties of single-walled carbon nanotubes by probing them at different spots. This technique uses scanning force microscopy to make mechanical and electrical nanocontacts at any selected spot of a given image. We have applied this technique to molecules with high intrinsic resistance. The results show a nonlinear resistance vs distance behavior as the nanotube is probed along its length. This is an indication of elastic electronic transport in one-dimensional systems.