Electron-capture decay rate of 7Be@C60 by first-principles calculations based on density functional theory

Carrying out a first-principles calculation assuming linear relationship between the electron density at Be nucleus and the electron-capture (EC) decay rate, we explained why 7Be@C60 shows higher EC decay rate than 7Be crystal, which was originally found experimentally by Ohtsuki et al. [Phys. Rev. Lett. 93, 112501 (2004)]. From the results of...

Self-detecting gate-tunable nanotube paddle resonators

We have fabricated suspended metal paddle resonators with carbon nanotubes functioning as self-detecting torsional springs. We observe gate-tunable resonances that either tune to higher or to lower frequencies when increasing the dc voltage on the back gate. We attribute the former modes to flexural vibrations of the paddle resonator, while the...

Thermoelectric power in carbon nanotubes and quantum wires of nonlinear optical, optoelectronic, and related materials under strong magnetic field: Simplified theory and relative comparison

We study thermoelectric power under strong magnetic field (TPM) in carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and quantum wires (QWs) of nonlinear optical, optoelectronic, and related materials. The corresponding results for QWs of III-V, ternary, and quaternary compounds form a special case of our generalized analysis. The TPM has also been investigated in QWs of...

Structural and functional studies of the iron storage protein ferritin from Pyrococcus furiosus

This research focuses on the iron storage protein ferritin. Ferritin is a protein involved in iron homeostasis by storing Fe(II) excess in the form of an Fe(III) mineral core in the presence of oxygen and by releasing iron during iron deficiency. Ferritins are vital for human health. Their malfunction may lead among other diseases to anemia,...

Carbon nanotube biosensors: The critical role of the reference electrode

Carbon nanotube transistors show tremendous potential for electronic detection of biomolecules in solution. However, the nature and magnitude of the sensing signal upon molecular adsorption have so far remained controversial. Here, the authors show that the choice of the reference electrode is critical and resolves much of the previous...

Source brightness and useful beam current of carbon nanotubes and other very small emitters

The potential application of carbon nanotubes as electron sources in electron microscopes is analyzed. The resolution and probe current that can be obtained from a carbon nanotube emitter in a low-voltage scanning electron microscope are calculated and compared to the state of the art using Schottky electron sources. Many analytical equations...

Quantum transport in carbon nanotubes

Electronic transport through nanostructures can be very different from trans- port in macroscopic conductors, especially at low temperatures. Carbon na- notubes are tiny cylinders made of carbon atoms. Their remarkable electronic and mechanical properties, together with their small size (a few nm in diameter), make them very attractive for...

Integration of a gate electrode into carbon nanotube devices for scanning tunneling microscopy

We have developed a fabrication process for incorporating a gate electrode into suspended single-walled carbon nanotube structures for scanning tunneling spectroscopy studies. The nanotubes are synthesized by chemical vapor deposition directly on a metal surface. The high temperature (800?°C) involved in the growth process poses challenging...

Scanning tunneling spectroscopy of suspended single-wall carbon nanotubes

We have performed low-temperature scanning tunneling microscopy measurements on single-wall carbon nanotubes that are freely suspended over a trench. The nanotubes were grown by chemical vapor deposition on a Pt substrate with predefined trenches etched into it. Atomic resolution was obtained on the freestanding portions of the nanotubes....

Direct observation of confined states in metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes

We investigated the local density of states (LDOS) of extended individual metallic single-walled carbon nanotubes using low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy. We observed that the LDOS oscillates with energy close to the Fermi level. The oscillation period of about 50 meV varies with position on the nanotube. Maps of the LDOS reveal...

Spatially resolved spectroscopy on carbon nanotubes

Carbon nanotubes are small cylindrical molecules with a typical diameter of 1 nm and lengths of up to micrometers. These intriguing molecules exhibit, depending on the exact atomic structure, either semiconducting or metallic behavior. This makes them ideal candidates for possible future molecular electronics. In this thesis Janssen describes...

Carbon nanotube junctions and devices

In this thesis Postma presents transport experiments performed on individual single-wall carbon nanotubes. Carbon nanotubes are molecules entirely made of carbon atoms. The electronic properties are determined by the exact symmetry of the nanotube lattice, resulting in either metallic or semiconducting behaviour. Due to their small diameter,...

Length control of individual carbon nanotubes by nanostructuring with a scanning tunneling microscope

Nanofabrication of electrodes with sub-5 nm spacing for transport experiments on single molecules and metal clusters

Individual single-wall carbon nanotubes as quantum wires