Moving Nanostructures: Pulse-Induced Positioning of Supramolecular Assemblies

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

For the development of nanoscale devices, the manipulation of single atoms and molecules by scanning tunneling microscopy is a well-established experimental technique. However, for the construction of larger and higher order structures, it is important to move not only one adsorbate but also several at the same time. Additionally, a major issue in standard manipulation experiments is the strong mechanical interaction of the tip apex and the adsorbate, which can damage the system under investigation. Here, we present a purely electronic excitation method for the controlled movement of a weakly interacting assembly of a few molecules. By applying voltage pulses, this supramolecular nanostructure is moved In a controlled manner without losing its collective integrity. Depending on the polarity and location of the applied voltage, the movement can be driven In predefined directions. Our gentle purely electronic approach for the controlled manipulation of nanostructures opens new ways to construct molecular devices.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)191-197
Number of pages7
JournalACS Nano
Volume7
Issue number1
Publication statusPublished - Jan 2013
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

WOS 000314082800023
PubMed 23199300
Scopus 84872871384
ORCID /0000-0001-9607-8715/work/142252643

Keywords

Keywords

  • Manipulation, Scanning tunneling microscopy, Spectroscopy, Supramolecular structures, Voltage pulses