Mechanically controlled fractured junctions and their possible applications in point-contact spectroscopy

Abstract

The possibility of using the high-stability point-contact technique developed in Leyden for electron–phonon interaction (EPI) spectroscopy and for studying various mechanisms of electron scattering is discussed. The modification of the technique proposed in the present work makes it suitable for studying practically all types of conductors. The possibility of obtaining high-quality EPI spectra for noble metals is demonstrated. Contacts of small diameter (< 30 Å) reveal a number of anomalies associated with the presence of crystal lattice defects in the vicinity of the microconstriction and with the mesoscopic nature of the investigated objects. The drawbacks of the technique and possible ways of improvement are analyzed.

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Identifiers

DOI

10.1063/10.0033464

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