Figure 1: Schematics of the two electrical contact modes used to follow the Joule heating dynamics.

Using the nanomanipulator integrated in the TEM holder, the freestanding Zn0.92Ga0.08S@CNT located at the sample electrode was gently pressed against the counter electrode. Both electrodes were bare-metal Au (or W) wires. (a) An end-contact configuration where the CNT is connected at both ends. (b) A side-contact configuration where the two electrodes are connected to the CNT wall. In both modes the CNT is under electron beam (e−) illumination and its ends are on the same z-height (image plane).