Electronic properties of carbon nanotubes with distinct bond lengths

Authors

J E. Bunder, University of WollongongFollow
James M. Hill, University of WollongongFollow

RIS ID

29333

Publication Details

Bunder, J. E. & Hill, J. M. (2010). Electronic properties of carbon nanotubes with distinct bond lengths. Journal of Applied Physics, 107 (2), 023511-1-023511-5.

Abstract

In band structure calculations commonly used to derive the electronic properties of carbon nanotubes it is generally assumed that all bond lengths are equal. However, hexagonal carbon lattices are often irregular and may contain as many as three distinct bond lengths. A regular $(n,m)$ carbon nanotube will be metallic if p=(n-m)/3 for integer p. Here we analytically derive the generalized condition for metallic irregular carbon nanotubes. This condition is particularly relevant to small radius nanotubes and nanotubes experiencing small applied strains.