Tubular image states: General formulation and properties for metallic and nonmetallic nanotubes

Abstract

In this work we study the existence of image potential states around nanotubes by considering the interaction between a stationary charged particle and a polarizable cylinder of infinite length. For metallic nanotubes and wires we obtain the eigenstates and eigenenergies corresponding to nonzero angular momentum states, localized at a relatively long distance from the surface of the tube. We study the scaling properties of the system in order to define general conditions for which image states can be supported. We also analyze the case of nonmetallic carbon nanotubes, for which we do not obtain bound states.