About cookies on this site Our websites require some cookies to function properly (required). In addition, other cookies may be used with your consent to analyze site usage, improve the user experience and for advertising. For more information, please review your options. By visiting our website, you agree to our processing of information as described in IBM’sprivacy statement. To provide a smooth navigation, your cookie preferences will be shared across the IBM web domains listed here.
Paper
Conduction through single Mg and Na atoms linking two macroscopic electrodes
Abstract
Electrical conduction through single Mg and Na atoms placed between two metallic electrodes is studied. When the atoms are in contact with both electrodes, the resistance of the single-atom wire thus formed is 33 kΩ for Na and 12 kΩ for Mg. As the electrodes are moved apart, keeping the atom midway, the resistance for the Na case slowly decreases, but that for Mg rises rapidly. Understanding this difference is relevant to a recently proposed type of atomic switch. © 1997 The American Physical Society.