title: Unidirectional adsorbate motion on a high-symmetry surface: "walking" molecules can stay the course.
abstract: Step edges and low-symmetry faces of metal crystals can restrict the diffusive motion of adsorbates, yet they offer little flexibility with regards to the location and/or direction of the guided motion. We show inherently unidirectional motion of an organic molecule on a high-symmetry thermodynamic-equilibrium metal surface [Cu(111)]. Sequential placement of the substrate linkers of 9,10-dithioanthracene prevents it from rotating or veering off course. A combination of low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy and density functional theory simulations provide atomistic insight.
authors.affiliation: Pierce Hall, University of California, Riverside, 92521, USA.
authors.forename: Ki-Young
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.forename: Kin L
authors.initials: KL
authors.lastname: Wong
authors.forename: Greg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pawin
authors.forename: Ludwig
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Bartels
authors.forename: Sergey
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Stolbov
authors.forename: Talat S
authors.initials: TS
authors.lastname: Rahman