Gold contact to individual metallic carbon nanotubes: A sensitive nanosensor for high-pressure

A strong and universal piezoresistive effect is evidenced for individual metallic carbon nanotubes contacted to gold electrodes through high contact resistances. The effect is well explained through a pressure modulation of the tunnel barrier width at the contact. The pressure dependence (−16%/GPa) is much stronger than for standard resistive high pressure gauges, and it depends neither on the initial resistance nor on the pressure transmitting medium.