Electrical transport properties of small sodium clusters

Abstract

We present calculations on electric transport properties of small sodium clusters ${\mathrm{Na}}_{N}$ $(N<~9),$ based on the Landauer formalism combined with an approximate density-functional approach. For a given cluster size N, the resistance depends sensitively on the cluster geometry (isomers). As a function of cluster size, an even-odd oscillation of the minimal resistance is found.