1.
Phys Rev Lett
; 99(20): 206801, 2007 Nov 16.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-18233173
ABSTRACT
Direct correlation between temporal structural fluctuations and electron wind force is demonstrated, for the first time, by STM imaging and analysis of atomically resolved motion on a thin film surface under large applied current (10(5) A/cm2). The magnitude of the momentum transfer between current carriers and the geometrically constrained atoms in the fluctuating structure is at least 5x to 15x (+/-1sigma range) larger than for freely diffusing adatoms. Corresponding changes in surface resistivity will contribute significant fluctuation signature to nanoscale electronic properties.