Metal-dependent conductance quantization of nanocontacts in solution

Metal nanocontacts of Cu, Ag, Ni, Pd, and Pb were fabricated via the electrochemical etching or deposition method at a gap of sustainable thin Au wires in solution. Relatively stable behaviors of the conductance quantization exhibiting a unit value were apparent at the contacts of Cu, Ag, Ni, and Pd at room temperature. Conductance quantization behavior of the Pb contact was rather unstable in comparison with other metals.