title: Contact geometry and conductance of crossed nanotube junctions under pressure.
abstract: We explored the relative stability, structure, and conductance of crossed nanotube junctions with dispersion corrected density functional theory. We found that the most stable junction geometry, not studied before, displays the smallest conductance. While the conductance increases as force is applied, it levels off very rapidly. This behavior contrasts with a less stable junction geometry that show steady increase of the conductance as force is applied. Electromechanical sensing devices based on this effect should exploit the conductance changes close to equilibrium.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
authors.forename: Felipe A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Bulat
authors.forename: Luise
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couchman
authors.forename: Weitao
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Yang