Designable electron transport features in one-dimensional arrays of metallic nanoparticles: Monte Carlo study of the relation between shape and transport

We study the current and shot noise in a linear array of metallic nanoparticles taking explicitly into consideration their discrete electronic spectra. Phonon-assisted tunneling and dissipative effects on single nanoparticles are incorporated as well. The capacitance matrix which determines the classical Coulomb interaction within the capacitance model is calculated numerically from a realistic geometry. A Monte Carlo algorithm which self-adapts to the size of the system allows us to simulate the single-electron transport properties within a semiclassical framework. We present several effects that are related to the geometry and one-electron level spacing like, e.g., a negative differential conductance effect. Consequently these effects are designable by the choice of the size and arrangement of the nanoparticles.