Nanoscale Electrodeposition
Resistance between two Au electrodes, measured during electrodeposition. Just before the two electrodes touch, the resistance shows quantized steps, with conductance plateaus at multiples of 2e^2/h, the quantum of conductance.
Electrodes before and after electrodeposition are also shown. Note that the process is also reversible: by reversing the polarity of the voltage on the electrode (relative to a Au counterelectrode) two shorted electrodes will un0short and move apart.
b) Electrodes after electrodeposition. The resolution of the SEM is 5 nm, not sufficient to resolve the gap.
From Morpurgo, et al. APL 74, 2084 (1999).