Molecular detection based on conductance quantization of nanowires

We have studied molecular adsorption onto stable metallic nanowires fabricated with an electrochemical method. Upon the adsorption, the quantized conductance decreases, typically, to a fractional value, which may be attributed to the scattering of the conduction electrons by the adsorbates. The further conductance change occurs when the nanowire is exposed to another molecule that has stronger adsorption strength. Because the quantized conductance is determined by a few atoms at the narrowest portion of each nanowire, adsorption of a molecule onto the portion is enough to change the conductance, which may be used for chemical sensors. (C) 2000 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(00)01610-7].