Controlling the Electrical Transport Properties of Nanocontacts to Nanowires

• DOI: 10.1021/nl503743t
• Publication Date: 2015-06-04T16:00:58Z
• Authors: Alex M. Lord; Thierry G. Maffeis; Olga Kryvchenkova; Richard J. Cobley; Karol Kalna; Despoina M. Kepap...; Quentin M. Ramasse; Alex S. Walton; Michael B. Ward; Jürgen Köble; Steve P. Wilks
• Keywords: Ohmic contact; Electrical contacts

The ability to control the properties of electrical contacts nanostructures is essential realize operational nanodevices. Here, we show that behavior nanocontacts between free-standing ZnO nanowires and catalytic Au particle used for their growth can switch from Schottky Ohmic depending on size particles in relation cross-sectional width nanowires. We observe a distinct transition transport at an nanowire diameter ratio 0.6. current-voltage measurements performed with multiprobe instrument are explained using 3-D self-consistent electrostatic simulations revealing tunneling contact edge dominant carrier mechanism these nanoscale contacts. results applicable other materials such as Si, GaAs, InAs when effects surface charge considered.