Abstract Submitted to the NANOTUBE'02 Workshop:

We have simulated the effect of applying lateral stress to nanotubes of different diameters lying on a graphite surface. When enough stress is applied, it is found that tubes with diameter of more than 2 nm can collapse and remain collapsed even when the stress is removed. The barrier heights and rates of tube opening are investigated. When a metallic tube is collapsed, a band gap could be induced in the collapsed region. Thus, collapsing one side of the tube with the other kept open would provide a natural junction of a metallic and semiconducting component. Simulations are performed of an AFM tip pressing laterally on a nanotube lying on a surface, which might be an easily accessible experimental method for applying lateral pressure on nanotubes lying on a surface.