Template synthesis and forming electrical contacts to single Au nanowires by focused ion beam techniques

Metallic Au nanowires were electrochemically synthesized in 20 µm thick ion track etched polycarbonate membranes with the nominal pore diameter of 200 nm. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy analysis and x-ray diffraction of samples revealed that the nanowires are dense with a fcc [Formula: see text] texturing. The I-V characteristics of a single Au nanowire were investigated using a four-point microprobe set-up. The Au nanowire was placed in electrical contact with electrodes patterned on planar substrates using a dual-beam focused ion beam technique. The resistivity of the Au nanowires was found to be 2.8 × 10(-4) Ω cm.