Theory for electromigration at metal nanocontacts driven by kinetic energy transfer from “lucky electrons”

Abstract

We have developed a theory for electromigration at metal nanocontacts. In the proposed theory, a metal atom is removed by kinetic energy transfer from a “lucky electron” that ballistically traverses a metal nanocontact, when the applied voltage exceeds the surface self-diffusion potential of the metal. The histogram of the critical voltage, Vc, at which metal atoms are removed, depends on the temperature as well as the probability for an atom being removed by collision with a lucky electron. The histograms of Vc for Au, Ni, Pd are well explained by the present theory.