Oscillations of electrical conductivity in single bismuth nanowires

Abstract

Bismuth nanowires were electrochemically deposited in ion track-etched polycarbonate membranes. Single wires with diameters ranging between 70 and $550\phantom{\rule{0.3em}{0ex}}\mathrm{nm}$ were created in membranes with one single nanopore and their electrical resistance was investigated while leaving them embedded in the template. The specific electrical conductivity oscillates as a function of wire diameter. The modulations are discussed on the basis of quantum-size effects which lead to a splitting of the energy bands into subbands and, thus, cause an oscillation of the density of states at the Fermi level depending on the diameter.