Conductance Quantization in the Melt-Spun Cubic RCu₅(R = Gd, Ho, Lu) Nanowires

Abstract

Conductance quantization of heterocontacts between tungsten (W) tip and cubic RCu5 (R = Gd, Ho, Lu) binary compounds prepared by melt-spinning was observed in nanowires produced dynamically using piezoelectric actuator. The conductance stepwise behaviour of the nanowires was directly observed with a storage oscilloscope. Quantum units of the nanowires conductance measured in their paramagnetic states are presented and discussed in terms of the Landauer formalism.