Green's function embedding approach to quantum conductivity of single wallcarbon nanotubes

Quantum conductivity of carbon nanotubes is calculated using an efficient e mbedding Green's function formalism that allows for a realistic nanotube-me tal lead contacts. The details of the contact geometry is found to profound ly influence the I-V characteristics. Furthermore, the primary effect of de fects in nanotubes is to smooth out the steplike features of the correspond ing I-V curve of the pristine tube. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.