Resistance simulations for junctions of SW and MW carbon nanotubes with various metal substrates

Abstract

This theoretical study focuses on junctions between the carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and contacting metallic elements of a nanocircuit. Numerical simulations on the conductance and resistance of these contacts have been performed using the multiple scattering theory and the effective media cluster approach. Two models for CNT-metal contacts have been considered in this paper: a) first principles "liquid metal" model and b) semi-empirical model of "effective bonds" based on Landauer notions on ballistic conductivity. Within the latter, which is a more adequate description of chirality effects, we have simulated both single-wall (SW) and multi-wall (MW) CNTs with different morphology. Results of calculations on resistance for different CNT-Me contacts look quantitatively realistic (from several to hundreds kOhm, depending on chirality, diameter and thickness of MW CNT). The inter-wall transparency coefficient for MW CNT has been also simulated, as an indicator of possible 'radial current' losses. © 2011 Versita Warsaw and Springer-Verlag Wien.