Physics of Carbon Nanotube Devices

Chapter 3. Physics of Nanotube/Metal Contacts

3.1. Introduction

Electrical contacts play a crucial role in electronic devices, and much work has been devoted to understanding and controlling the properties of contacts to traditional bulk semiconductors. The early work of Schottky, Mott and Bardeen established the fundamental principles that govern the properties of contacts to bulk semiconductors, and these concepts have been critical in the interpretation of experimental measurements, and in developing further refined models. In addition, many of the engineering solutions to improve contact quality are rooted in this basic understanding of contact properties. Because carbon nanotubes have fundamental properties that are much different from ...