Single-electron force readout of nanoparticle electrometers attached to carbon nanotubes.

Zhu, Jun; Brink, Markus; McEuen, Paul L · Nano Lett · 2008

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We introduce a new technique of probing the local potential inside a nanostructure employing Au nanoparticles as electrometers and using single-electron force microscopy to sense the charge states of the Au electrometers, which are sensitive to local potential variations. The Au nanoelectrometers are weakly coupled to a carbon nanotube through high-impedance molecular junctions. We demonstrate the operation of the Au nanoelectrometer, determine the impedance of the molecular junctions, and measure the local potential profile in a looped nanotube.