Mesoscopic phenomena in nano-porous alumina films: single nano-tunnel junctions connected to Ni-nanowires and carbon nanotubes

We report on two mesoscopic phenomena observable in nano-porous alumina fil ms. One is Coulomb blockade associated with weak localization in an array o f single nano-tunnel junctions/multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNTs), and t he other is an abrupt magnetoresistance (MR) jump in Ni-nanowire system. We ak localization yields CB in single tunnel junction system by acting as hig h impedance external electromagnetic environment, following phase correlati on theory. The CB is very sensitive to phase modulation in the MWNTs. An ab rupt MR jump is associated with magnetic domain walls. Its correlation with macroscopic quantum tunneling and weak localization is discussed. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.