Transport properties

Abstract

In this chapter, we first review the fundamental theoretical concepts of mesoscopic transport for low-dimensional systems and disordered materials. Emphasis is put on the Landauer formulation of electronic transmission, weak localization and Aharonov-Bohm phenomena, as well as Coulomb interactions through screening effects and Luttinger liquid model. A pedagogical effort is made to present the currently established physics of quantum conduction in some analytical detail, enabling the reader to further deepen the understanding of more specialized literature. In a subsequent part, the main theoretical features of quantum transport in carbon nanotubes are elaborated, mostly within the non-interacting electron regime, that is to date less controversial. The experimental part starts with a discussion of the commonly employed measurement techniques. Several transport experiments are then analyzed, with a particular focus on device-oriented aspects (field effect, Schottky barriers, etc). Finally, the main physical properties of nanotube-based composites are outlined, followed by a presentation of our current understanding of thermal properties of carbon tubules. © 2006 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg.