Simulation of the Electron Tunneling Paths in Networks of Nano-particle Films

Thin films of nano-particles deposited on substrates are important for new technological applications. Their physical properties depend crucially on particle size and structural inhomogeneity of the deposition. To systematically investigate these dependencies, we apply graph theory and simulations of voltage-driven tunneling conduction. We implement a network model of nano-particle films, based on data of particle positions on a two-dimensional plane. Assuming that connected particles on the network are within the tunneling distance, we then implement a continuous-time electron tunneling on the network and show how the current–voltage characteristics depend on the graph structure. We visualize the conduction paths through the network which correspond to the measured currents both in random and spatially inhomogeneous films.