Conductance quantization in multiwalled carbon nanotubes

Abstract.

We present results of carbon nanotube conductance measurements. The experiments were performed using an scanning probe microscope (SPM) system where a carbon nanotube fiber is connected to the SPM tip and then lowered into a liquid mercury contact. Experiments were also performed using a modified transmission electron microscope (TEM) specimen holder supplied with piezo and micrometer positioning system. Thus the contacting process of the nanotubes with the mercury could be monitored while simultaneously recording the conductance. These measurements and observations confirm previously reported conductance quantization (Frank et al.: Science 280, 1744 (1998)) of the nanotubes while providing additional details concerning the mercury nanotube contacts. We also report conductance versus voltage characteristics of carbon nanotubes.