Torsional instability in the single-chain limit of a transition metal trichalcogenide

Abstract

Oscillating one-dimensional chains The confinement of materials to nanoscale dimensions often reveals properties not seen in bulk materials. Pham et al. confined NbSe 3 within carbon nanotubes (a conductor) or boron nitride nanotubes (an insulator). Transmission electron microscopy revealed an oscillatory motion of the confined chains not observed in bulk crystals. Electronic structure calculations showed that charge transfer drives the torsional wave instability, and the limited covalent bonding between the chains and the nanotube sheath allows unhindered dynamics. Application of an external potential applied to the nanotube should directly affect the torsion and thus lead to different optical and electron transport properties. Science , this issue p. 263