Stretching single atom contacts at multiple subatomic step-length

Phys Chem Chem Phys. 2013 Aug 14;15(30):12459-65. doi: 10.1039/c3cp50473e.

Abstract

This work describes jump-to-contact STM-break junction experiments leading to novel statistical distribution of last-step length associated with conductance of a single atom contact. Last-step length histograms are observed with up to five for Fe and three for Cu peaks at integral multiples close to 0.075 nm, a subatomic distance. A model is proposed in terms of gliding from a fcc hollow-site to a hcp hollow-site of adjacent atomic planes at 1/3 regular layer spacing along with tip stretching to account for the multiple subatomic step-length behavior.