EVEN-ODD CONDUCTANCE OSCILLATION IN ATOMIC WIRES

The linear response conductance is computed in a one-dimensional atomi c wire between two adiabatically expanding metal electrodes. We show t hat the conductance behavior is significantly different from that of a mesoscopic narrow channel. Specifically, we find that the conductance of such an atomic wire oscillates periodically between quantum unit o f conductance Go for odd number of atoms in the wire and rG(Q)(r < 1) for even number of atoms. This even-odd oscillation is very robust and should be observable at room temperature. (C) 1997 Published by Elsev ier Science Ltd.