Mechanically controllable break junctions with quasi-planar electrodes

Mechanically controllable break junctions with nearly flat (at a lateral sc ale of similar or equal to 10 nm) electrodes and a greatly reduced number o f surface defects were fabricated using a gentle procedure of surface modif ication. The modification process occurs at extremely close separations bet ween the electrodes (similar or equal to1.5-2 Angstrom) where high electric fields and surface temperatures can be achieved at relatively low bias vol tages. Experimental details, a possible physical mechanism and applications of the proposed technique are discussed. (C) 2001 American Vacuum Society.