Quantum interference and ballistic transmission in nanotube electron waveguides - art. no. 106801

The electron transport properties of well-contacted individual single-walle d carbon nanotubes are investigated in the ballistic regime. Phase coherent transport and electron interference manifest as conductance fluctuations a s a function of Fermi energy. Resonance with standing waves in finite-lengt h tubes and localized states due to imperfections are observed for various Fermi energies. Two units of quantum conductance 2G(0) = 4e(2)/h are measur ed for the first time, corresponding to the maximum conductance limit for b allistic transport in two channels of a nanotube.