The charge flow from a single C60 molecule to another one has been probed.
Due to the constantly progressing miniaturization of electronic components,
the performance of modern electronics could continuously beenhanced. However,
when trying to further shrink the tiny nano-scaledstructures, severe obstacles
have appeared. Now for the first time, a European research cooperation has succeeded
in constructing an electrical circuit consiting of two single molecules and
probe its electrical properties.
The results obtained by the German,
French, Spanish and Danish researchers are presented in the recent issue of
the renowned “PhysicalReview Letters” journal. The scientists employed
football-shaped C60-molecules that were a billionth of a meter in diameter and
promisedgreat potential for technical applications in materials science andnanotechnology,
owing to its chemical and physical qualities.
Initially, the scientists lifted up one of the molecules with the tipof a scanning
tunnelling microscope, then moved it towards an other molecule with a precision
of few quadrillionths meter.
During this approach, the physicists managed to probe the charge flowbetween
the two molecules. Understanding this electric current, whichdepends strongly
on the molecules’ distance, is indispensable forfuture molecule-based
electronics.
The experiment shows that the conductivity between the tangentmolecules is
a hundred times lower than for a single C60-molecule andtherefore allows only
for very weak electric current.
This result is crucial for modern nano-electronics, which willincorporate very
closely arranged molecules, for unintentionalshort-circuits can be brought under
control through certain molecularcharacteristics. Additionally carried out quantum
mechanic calculationsare in line with the experimental results and also predict
a merelysmall conductivity.
The newly gained insight into nano-scaled electric charge flow is animportant
step for the design of molecular electronics. Furthermore,the extreme precision
of manipulation and control of single moleculespresented by the scientists discloses
new ways for exploringnano-electronic components.
Posted November 18th, 2009
