Transport properties of mechanically stretched carbon nanotubes are investigated using first-principles band-structure calculations and zone folding. Conductivity tensors of nanotubes are derived using the Boltzmann's transport equation within the constant-relaxation-time approximation. Our calculations show that mechanical stretching induces chirality of the tubule current. The efficiency with which chirality can be induced depends on the geometrical chiralities of the stretched nanotubes. The most efficient geometrical chirality is an armchairlike atomic arrangement.

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