Finite-size effects in bismuth nanowires

Department of Materials Science and Engineering, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland 21218~Received 18 September 1998!Arrays of semimetallic Bi nanowires, fabricated by electrodeposition, exhibit strong finite-size effects intransport properties as the carrier mean-free path is limited by the wire dimensions. We have observed aresistivity enhancement, a very large positive magnetoresistance, and a resistance maximum that depends onthe strength and orientation of the magnetic field and the nanowire diameter. These results demonstrateelectrodeposited Bi nanowires as a new medium for studying the intricate physics in Bi nanostructures.@S0163-1829~98!52246-1#