Conductance oscillations in zigzag platinum chains

Garcia-Suarez, V. M.; Rocha, A. R.; Bailey, S. W.; Lambert, C. J.; Sanvito, S.; Ferrer, J.

Conductance oscillations in zigzag platinum chains

Authors

Description

Using first principles simulations we perform a detailed study of the structural, electronic and transport properties of monoatomic platinum chains, sandwiched between platinum electrodes. First we demonstrate that the most stable atomic configuration corresponds to a zigzag arrangement that gradually straightens as the chains are stretched. Secondly, we find that the conductance at equilibrium atomic spacing does not oscillate with the number of atoms $n$ in the chain, but instead decreases almost monotonically with $n$. In contrast, the conductances of chains of fixed $n$ oscillate as the end atoms are pulled apart, due to the gradual closing and opening of conductance channels as the chain straightens.
4 pages. 5 Figures. Version with a new reference