A self-terminated electrochemical fabrication of electrode pairs with angstrom-sized gaps

A method with self-terminated mechanism was developed to fabricate metallic electrodes with angstrom-sized gaps. The method is based on a directional electrodeposition process by applying a controlled constant current source in a two-electrode system. The filial gap width between the two electrodes is directly determined by the preset value of electrodeposition current and the fabricated gap keeps a high stability. The method is controllable and simple, which has a potential for the mass production. The possible factors influencing the fabricated gap width are discussed. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.