Quantum Transport in Electrochemically Fabricated Metallic Nanoconstrictions

本研究项目由分析和表面化学计划资助，研究小金属结构中量子化电子传递的机制。一种新的电化学蚀刻/沉积方法用于控制金属纳米缩窄的尺寸，同时测量电子通过缩窄的传输。佛罗里达国际大学的陶农建教授和他的同事们也在研究分子吸附对纳米缩窄表面的影响以及由此产生的电子传递的变化。这种效应可用于化学传感器的设计。扫描探针显微镜用于监测电化学控制下形成的金属纳米缩窄的大小并对其进行评价。电子在非常小的金属导体中的流动是由量子力学效应控制的。由于制备纳米尺寸稳定导体的困难，测量和理解这一过程的能力受到阻碍。利用电化学控制方法，本研究项目解决了这一限制，目标是提供对量子输运过程的基本理解。这些思想应用于紧凑的分析传感器的设计可能源于这种理解。

This research project, supported in the Analytical and Surface Chemistry Program, addresses the mechanism of quantized electron transport in small metallic structures. A novel electrochemical etching/deposition approach is used to control the size of metallic nanoconstrictions, while electron transport through the constriction is being measured. Professor Nongjian Tao and his coworkers at Florida International University are also investigating the effect of molecular adsorption on the surface of the nanoconstriction and the resulting changes in electron transport. This effect may be of use in the design of chemical sensors. Scanning probe microscopy is used to monitor the size of the metallic nanoconstriction formed and evaluated under electrochemical control.The flow of electrons through very small metallic conductors is governed by quantum mechanical effects. The ability to measure and understand this process is frustrated by the difficulty of preparing stable conductors of nanometer dimension. Using electrochemical control methods, this research project addresses this limitation, with the goal of providing fundamental understanding of the quantum transport process. The application of these ideas to the design of compact analytical sensors may result from this understanding.