Universality in metallic nanocohesion: A quantum chaos approach

C. A. Stafford, F. Kassubek, J. Bürki, Hermann Grabert

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

24 Scopus citations

Abstract

Convergent semiclassical trace formulas for the density of states and the cohesive force of a narrow constriction in an electron gas, whose classical motion is either chaotic or integrable, are derived. It is shown that mode quantization in a metallic point contact or nanowire leads to universal oscillations in its cohesive force: the amplitude of the oscillations depends only on a dimensionless quantum parameter describing the crossover from chaotic to integrable motion, and is of order 1 nN, in agreement with recent experiments.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)4836-4839
Number of pages4
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume83
Issue number23
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1999

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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