Electrostrictive effect on electronic structures of carbon nanotubes.

The effect of axial electrostrictive deformation on the electronic properties of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNTs) is studied by the density functional theory. We find that the band structures of SWCNTs change in electric fields, and the change can be significantly enhanced by the electrostrictive deformation. The polarization of the orbital charge densities and the variation of the dipole moment are also enhanced by the electrostriction. The influence of chirality and size effect on these properties are also analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]