Electronic Transmission Through Metallic Nanowires: Generalized Scattering Matrix Approach

Abstract

An easy to implement and powerful method for the solution of 3D scattering problems that can be well described by Helmholtz equation is presented. The matrix algebra used provides excellent stability versus the number of junctions as well as great computational speed. The matrix truncation method yields an easy single-parameter convergence procedure. Subsequently, some aspects of the electronic transport through metal nanowires are studied by the use of Landauer's scattering approach to the conductance. We predict the existence of current vortex-rings patterns due to sharp enough narrow-wide connections in atomic size point contacts. Longitudinal resonances between scattering centers provide a simple physical picture for the understanding of negative differential resistance in ideal monoatomic contacts. Relatively long nanowires with high geometrical perfection -like those recently observed by Transmission Electron Microscopy- are modelled exhibiting resonant tunnelling and total reflection at given incident energy intervals.