Performing current versus voltage measurements of single-walled carbon nanotubes using scanning force microscopy

In this letter, a method is presented to perform current versus voltage measurements on carbon nanotubes using the tip of a scanning force microscope as an electrode that can be positioned along the molecule. This method allows current versus voltage measurements to be carried out at any spot along a nanotube. By using this method, we present indications of ballistic transport in carbon nanotubes, as well as effects in the electrical properties due to the mechanical deformation. This is a general technique that can be applied to any conducting nanowire.The authors acknowledge fruitful discussions with P. A. Serena and J. J. Saenz and to the Comunidad de Madrid for financial support through Project No. 07N/0024/1998 and to Ministerio de Educacion y Ciencia through Project No. PB95-0169.Peer reviewe