Polarons in suspended carbon nanotubes

TL;DR

This paper theoretically demonstrates that electric fields can induce polaron formation in suspended carbon nanotubes, causing a phase transition from extended to localized states at low threshold fields.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model showing electric-field controlled polaron formation involving flexural modes in suspended nanotubes, highlighting a low threshold for phase transition.

Findings

Polaron formation can be controlled by electric fields in suspended nanotubes.

A first order phase transition occurs between extended and localized states.

Threshold electric field is approximately 0.01 V/μm.

Abstract

We prove theoretically the possibility of electric-field controlled polaron formation involving flexural (bending) modes in suspended carbon nanotubes. Upon increasing the field, the ground state of the system with a single extra electron undergoes a first order phase transition between an extended state and a localized polaron state. For a common experimental setup, the threshold electric field is only of order $\simeq 10^{-2}$ V/$\mu$m.