Indication of unusual pentagonal structures in atomic-size Cu nanowires

Abstract

We present a study of the structural and quantum conductance properties of atomic-size copper nanowires generated by mechanical stretching. The atomistic evolution was derived from time-resolved electron microscopy observations and molecular dynamics simulations. We have analyzed the quantum transport behavior by means of conductance measurements and theoretical calculations. The results suggest the formation of an unusual and highly stable pentagonal Cu nanowire with a diameter of similar to0.45 nm and similar to4.5 conductance quanta.