Graphene, a one-atom-thick sheet of carbon atoms arranged in a honeycomb lattice, exhibits remarkable mechanical, electrical, and thermal properties. However, when confined into narrow ribbons only nanometers wide, known as graphene nanoribbons (GNRs), these qualities are amplified. At this scale, GNRs possess quantum properties, enabling them to conduct electrons without resistance. This unique feature holds immense promise for next-generation quantum technologies, including quantum computers and sensors.
A major challenge in harnessing the potential of GNRs lies in establishing electrical contacts with individual GNRs. These contacts are crucial for manipulating and measuring the flow of electrons within these tiny structures. Traditional methods of fabricating contacts, such as using metal electrodes, often lead to unwanted short circuits or distortions of the GNR's electronic properties.
Recently, scientists have overcome this hurdle by utilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) as electrodes to contact ultranarrow GNRs just 1 nanometer wide. SWCNTs, themselves minuscule carbon tubes with remarkable electrical properties, can seamlessly connect to GNRs without disrupting their quantum behavior. This breakthrough paves the way for integrating GNRs into functional quantum devices.
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