Manipulation and Joule heat welding of Ag nanowires prepared by atomic migration

Ag nanowires (NWs) with diameters of about 200 nm and length of 2–7 μm are prepared on a substrate by an atomic migration called stress-induced migration and are picked up from the substrate with electrostatic forces. The Ag NWs are then offered for the welding experiment in a scanning electron microscope and successfully welded together using Joule heating introduced into the NWs by supplying the constant direct current. It is discovered that the welding of Ag NWs is achieved under the current supply in a self-completed manner. The conditions for successful Joule heat welding are analyzed by the parameter that governs the melting phenomenon at the nanocontacts of two NWs. From the experiment and the analysis, electromigration, i.e., another type of atomic migration due to higher electron flow, is found to be occurred during the welding and this is considered to enhance the welding performance of two NWs with Joule heat.