In Situ High-Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy of Structures and Conductance of Silver Nanocontacts

Abstract

The breaking process of silver nanocontacts (NCs) was observed in situ at room temperature by high-resolution transmission electron microscopy. Simultaneously, the conductance of the NCs was measured. During breaking, the conductance showed a stepwise variation and the step height corresponded to integer multiples of 2e²/h, i.e., the quantized conductance levels. Using a conductance feedback control, the NCs exhibiting a certain conductance were observed continuously. The relationship between the structure and conductance of the NCs was investigated; the conductance at a quantized level was associated with NCs with several types of atomistic configurations. [DOI: 10.1380/ejssnt.2009.549]