Acoustoelectric effects in carbon nanotubes

Abstract

We report observations of acoustoelectric effects in carbon nanotubes. We excite sound in μm long ropes of single walled carbon nanotubes suspended between two metallic contacts by applying radio-frequency electric field. The sound is detected by measuring either the dc resistance of the tubes in a region of strong temperature dependence (in the vicinity of superconducting or metal-insulator transition), or their critical current. We show that, depending on the excitation power, the vibrations produce either electron heating or phase coherence breaking. © 2000 American Physical Society.