In this work we will present measurements that show clear features of electrode interactions. Our data have been obtained using a mechanically controllable break junction (MCB). Our findings on strong adhesion forces and anomalous high corrugations are in agreement with recent theory and previous scanning-tunneling-microscopy studies. The power of a MCB lies in its high stability, providing the opportunity to observe very subtle effects appearing in the measured tunnel current. © 1996 The American Physical Society.

• Received 18 July 1995

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.53.1072