Current-induced mechanical effects in nanoscale junctions

Transport of electrical charge across a nanoscale junction is accompanied by many effects like transfer of energy between electrons and ions [1] and consequent heating of the junction [2], and forces on ions due to current-induced variations of the electronic distribution [3]. I will discuss these effects in atomic and molecular wires and focus on their description at the atomic level. In particular, I will discuss their relative role in the stability of nanojunctions and compare these findings with experimental results. Work supported by NSF. [1] Y-C. Chen, M. Zwolak and M. Di Ventra, “Inelastic current-voltage characteristics of atomic and molecular junctions”, Nano Lett. 4, 1709 (2004). [2] Y-C. Chen, M. Zwolak and M. Di Ventra, “Local heating in nanoscale conductors”, Nano Lett. 3, 1691 (2003). [3] Z. Yang, M. Chshiev, M. Zwolak, Y.-C. Chen, and M. Di Ventra “Role of heating and current-induced forces in the stability of atomic wires”, cond-mat/0409772.