Prediction of Electron Drift Velocity in Helically Coiled Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

We studied electron transport in single wall carbon nanotubes placed in stationary homogeneous electric fields, oriented along tubes. Electron distributions for various electric fields are determined by solving stationary multi bands Boltzmann transport equation in presence of electron phonon scattering mechanisms. Contributions of all possible scattering channels, allowed by selection rules and energy conservation, are taken into account for finding scattering rate and collision integrals. As it is previously predicted, large electron drift velocities in straight single wall carbon nanotubes are obtained. Frequent electron scattering as well as low group velocity have strong impact on reduction of drift velocity in helically coiled carbon nanotubes.

Current Distribution Dependence on Electric Field in Helically Coiled Carbon Nanotubes

“…Electron distribution function depends on temperature and on the intensity of the applied field. It can be used to determine drift velocities [10,18], as well as average values of electron spinning radius dependence on E. At low field intensity, only states around Fermi level are significantly occupied. Further electric field tuning causes spreading of distribution over the other conduction bands and filling conducting states far away from Fermi level.…”