Multishelled Gold Nanowires

The current miniaturization of electronic devices raises many questions about the properties of various materials at nanometre-scales. Recent molecular dynamics computer simulations have shown that small finite nanowires of gold exist as multishelled structures of lasting stability. These classical simulations are based on a well-tested embedded atom potential. Molecular dynamics simulation studies of metallic nanowires should help in developing methods for their fabrication, such as electron-beam litography and scanning tunneling microscopy.