We use the momentum space renormalization group to study the influence of phonons and the Coulomb interaction on the superconducting response function of armchair single-walled nanotubes. We do not find superconductivity in undoped single nanotubes. When doped, superconducting fluctuations can develop because of the phonons but remain small and are easily destroyed by the Coulomb interaction. The origin of superconductivity in ropes of nanotobes is most likely an intertube effect. Projections to zigzag nanotubes indicate a more favorable disposition to superconducting fluctuations.

• Received 15 November 2001

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.65.140515