Shell-effects in heavy alkali-metal nanowires
arXiv:cond-mat/0405112
Abstract
We supplement our previous observations of the shell effect in alkali-metal nanowires (Li, Na, K) with data extended to the heavy alkalis Rb and Cs. Our observations include: i) a non-monotonous dependence of conductance-histogram peak heights on atomic weight, ii) a rapid transition to an atomic shell structure at elevated temperatures, and iii) a ''reverse'' atomic-electronic shell transition, caused by the closeness to the liquid state.
7 pages, 11 figures, Proc. NATO Advanced Research Workshop "Molecular nanowires and other quantum objects", Bled, Slovenia, 6-10 September 2003