  We report a new template electroplating method for fabricating reversible
atomic contacts between a single nanowire and a macroscopic contact pad. In
comparison to typical template methods using a standing-alone anode, we
directly evaporate the anode on one of the porous membrane surfaces. Single
nanowires, upon emerging from the pores, make reversible atomic contacts with
the on-membrane anode via a self-terminating mechanism. Quantized conductance
steps have been observed in a controlled fashion during deposition and
dissolution. This method can potentially be applied for the controlled
fabrication and integration of nanowires, point contacts, and nanosized
interconnects in template-based nanofabrication.
