Acoustoelectric effects in carbon nanotubes

We report observations of acoustoelectric effects in carbon nanotubes. We excite sound in mu m long ropes of single walled carbon nanotubes suspended between two metallic contacts by applying radiofrequency electric field. The sound is detected by measuring either the de resistance of the tubes in a region of strong temperature dependence tin the vicinity of superconducting or metal-insulator transition), or their critical current. We show that, depending on the excitation power, the vibrations produce either electron heating or phase coherence breaking.