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From favorable atomic configurations to supershell structures: a new interpretation of conductance histograms
A Hasmy1, E Medina, P A Serena
1Laboratorio de Física Estadística de Sistemas Desordenados, Centro de Física, IVIC, Apartado 21827, Caracas, 1020A, Venezuela.
Physical Review Letters
|June 21, 2001
Abstract:
Simulated minimum cross-section histograms of breaking Al nanocontacts are produced using molecular dynamics. The results allow a new interpretation of the controverted conductance histogram peaks based on preferential geometrical arrangements of nanocontact necks. As temperature increases, lower conductance peaks decrease in favor of broader and higher conductance structures. This reveals the existence of shell and supershell structures favored by the increased mobility of Al atoms.