Superlattice properties of carbon nanotubes in a transverse electric field

O. V. Kibis, D. G. W. Parfitt, and M. E. Portnoi
Phys. Rev. B 71, 035411 – Published 19 January 2005

Abstract

Electron motion in a (n,1) carbon nanotube is shown to correspond to a de Broglie wave propagating along a helical line on the nanotube wall. This helical motion leads to periodicity of the electron potential energy in the presence of an electric field normal to the nanotube axis. The period of this potential is proportional to the nanotube radius and is greater than the interatomic distance in the nanotube. As a result, the behavior of an electron in a (n,1) nanotube subject to a transverse electric field is similar to that in a semiconductor superlattice. In particular, Bragg scattering of electrons from the long-range periodic potential results in the opening of gaps in the energy spectrum of the nanotube. Modification of the band structure is shown to be significant for experimentally attainable electric fields, which raises the possibility of applying this effect to nanoelectronic devices.

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  • Received 7 October 2004

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.035411

©2005 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

O. V. Kibis*

  • 1Department of Applied and Theoretical Physics, Novosibirsk State Technical University, Novosibirsk 630092, Russia

D. G. W. Parfitt and M. E. Portnoi

  • 1School of Physics, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QL, United Kingdom

  • *Electronic address: Oleg.Kibis@nstu.ru

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Vol. 71, Iss. 3 — 15 January 2005

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