Observation of large low-frequency resistance fluctuations in metallic nanowires: implications on its stability

Abstract

We have measured the low frequency (1mHz≤f≤10 Hz) resistance fluctuations in metallic nanowires (diameter 15 nm to 200 nm) in the temperature range 77 K to 400 K. The nanowires were grown electrochemically in polycarbonate membranes and the measurements were carried out in arrays of nanowires by retaining them in the membrane. A large fluctuation in excess of conventional 1/f noise which peaks beyond a certain temperature was found. The fluctuations with a significant low frequency component (⋍1/f^3/2) arise when the diameter of the wire ⋍15 nm and vanish rapidly as the diameter is increased. We argue that Rayleigh-Plateau instability is the likely cause of this excess noise.