Work

Electroisomerization blinking of an azobenzene derivative molecule

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: We report here the reversibility and bistability of the switching behavior in an azobenzene derivative induced by the bias applied by a scanning-tunneling microscopy (STM) tip, at low temperature and in ultra-high vacuum environment. This cis-to-trans and trans-to-cis switching were observed during STM imaging in either polarity at +2 V or −2 V, on a sub-second time scale. This results in a blinking effect visible on STM images, corresponding to the reversible switching of the azobenzene molecule under the applied STM bias through an electric field induced process.

Source: Nanotechnology

DOI: 10.1088/1361-6528/ada2f3

Authors: Sylvie Godey, Hugo Therssen, David Guérin, Thierry Mélin, Stéphane Lenfant

Institutions: Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Université de Lille, Institut d'Electronique, de Microélectronique et de Nanotechnologie, Université Polytechnique Hauts-de-France

Language: English

Topic: Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures

Subfield: Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

Open Access status: green

Funder: Agence Nationale de la Recherche

Awards: G2471692569, G6803667113, Spintronics with functional molecules