Final Report Summary - ULTRA-1D (Experimental and theoretical investigation of electron transport in ultra-narrow one-dimensional nanostructures)
The main objective of the ULTRA-1D project was to study the fundamental size limits to the extent that the electron transport in one-dimensional (1D) systems proves to be qualitatively similar to the macroscopic regime as well as to qualitatively explore new phenomena which emerge below a certain scale. The project's focus was twofold, namely the fabrication of 1D objects as well as the theoretical and experimental study of electron transport in state-of-the-art narrow 1D objects such as normal metals, superconductors, semi-conducting heterojunctions and carbon nanotubes.
Emphasis has been laid on the elaboration and development of new methods of microfabrication, especially the fabrication of 1D objects in the scale size of roughly 10 nanometres (nm). A system similar to a transistor which is a structure based on a single wall carbon nanotube constitutes an example of the various 1D systems that have been fabricated. Three discrete methods have been implemented for the fabrication of metallic systems, namely high-resolution electron beam lithography, electrochemical growth of ultra-thin nanowires as well as progressive decrease in the effective diameter of pre-fabricated 1D objects by means of plasma etching.
As far as the research into electron transport is concerned, the study engages in three main fields, namely the metal-insulator transition in ultra-thin wires, the electron decoherence in 1D limit as well as the peculiarities of electron transport in 1D systems when subject to control external periodic potential. Furthermore, a study has been pursued regarding the quantum fluctuations or phase slips in ultra-thin superconducting nanostructures.
Emphasis has been laid on the elaboration and development of new methods of microfabrication, especially the fabrication of 1D objects in the scale size of roughly 10 nanometres (nm). A system similar to a transistor which is a structure based on a single wall carbon nanotube constitutes an example of the various 1D systems that have been fabricated. Three discrete methods have been implemented for the fabrication of metallic systems, namely high-resolution electron beam lithography, electrochemical growth of ultra-thin nanowires as well as progressive decrease in the effective diameter of pre-fabricated 1D objects by means of plasma etching.
As far as the research into electron transport is concerned, the study engages in three main fields, namely the metal-insulator transition in ultra-thin wires, the electron decoherence in 1D limit as well as the peculiarities of electron transport in 1D systems when subject to control external periodic potential. Furthermore, a study has been pursued regarding the quantum fluctuations or phase slips in ultra-thin superconducting nanostructures.
