Thermal and electrical transport in carbon nanofiber interconnects

To study the reliability of carbon nanofibers (CNFs) under high-current stress, electrical measurements of CNF breakdown are performed for four configurations: (a) suspended, (b) supported, (c) suspended with tungsten deposited onto the CNF-electrode contact, and (d) supported with tungsten deposition. Supported CNF has enhanced current capacity, consistent with improved heat transport to the substrate, and depositing W to the electrodes lowers the contact resistance and improves the overall electrical characteristics of the system.