Evidence of switching and rectification by a single molecule effected by a scanning tunneling microscope: Chem. Phys. Letters 146 (1988) 490
✍ Scribed by A. Aviram; C. Joachim; M. Pomerantz
- Publisher
- Elsevier Science
- Year
- 1989
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 45 KB
- Volume
- 162
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0009-2614
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✦ Synopsis
In the above paper, we suggested that the observed asymmetric Z-V curves obtained with an STM on Au surfaces coated with hemiquinone monolayers represent molecular switching and rectification. Further studies have shown that films lacking these molecules sometimes exhibit Z-V curves with large discontinuities (from nA to PA)_ We also have evidence that in at least some of these cases the STM tip is contacting the surface. These new observations cast doubt on our suggested interpretation based only on the electrical properties of the molecules. Nevertheless, our experience is that the anomalous I-Vbehavior occurs more regularly and at lower voltages with the molecules present, than when the film is uncoated. We are currently trying to clarify the role of the molecules in producing the asymmetric electrical characteristics.