Strain-induced metal-semiconductor transition observed in atomic carbon chains.

ABSTRACT: Carbyne, the sp(1)-hybridized phase of carbon, is still a missing link in the family of carbon allotropes. While the bulk phases of carbyne remain elusive, the elementary constituents, that is, linear chains of carbon atoms, have already been observed using the electron microscope. Isolated atomic chains are highly interesting one-dimensional conductors that have stimulated considerable theoretical work. Experimental information, however, is still very limited. Here we show electrical measurements and first-principles transport calculations on monoatomic carbon chains. When the 1D system is under strain, the chains are semiconducting corresponding to the polyyne structure with alternating bond lengths. Conversely, when the chain is unstrained, the ohmic behaviour of metallic cumulene with

SUBMITTER: La Torre A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4389248 | biostudies-literature | 2015 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature