Nonlinear Properties of Point Microcontacts Formed by the Tunnel Probe

摘要

Point microcontacts exhibiting nonlinear properties are formed in a scanning tunnel microscope between substrates of titanium, gold, and stainless steel and probes of tungsten and platinum-iridium alloy. Different voltage-current characteristics (VCCs) are observed including those with negative incremental conduction (NIC). Typical VCCs are discussed and classified depending on the contact-formation conditions.