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Title: Modeling surface roughness scattering in metallic nanowires

Journal Article · · Journal of Applied Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4931573· OSTI ID:22492730
 [1];  [2];  [2]
  1. KU Leuven, Institute for Theoretical Physics, Celestijnenlaan 200D, B-3001 Leuven (Belgium)
  2. IMEC, Kapeldreef 75, B-3001 Leuven (Belgium)

Ando's model provides a rigorous quantum-mechanical framework for electron-surface roughness scattering, based on the detailed roughness structure. We apply this method to metallic nanowires and improve the model introducing surface roughness distribution functions on a finite domain with analytical expressions for the average surface roughness matrix elements. This approach is valid for any roughness size and extends beyond the commonly used Prange-Nee approximation. The resistivity scaling is obtained from the self-consistent relaxation time solution of the Boltzmann transport equation and is compared to Prange-Nee's approach and other known methods. The results show that a substantial drop in resistivity can be obtained for certain diameters by achieving a large momentum gap between Fermi level states with positive and negative momentum in the transport direction.

OSTI ID:
22492730
Journal Information:
Journal of Applied Physics, Vol. 118, Issue 12; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-8979
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English