title: A reversible molecular switch based on pattern-change in chlorobenzene and toluene on a Si(111)-(7x7) surface.
abstract: A reversible molecular switch is proposed, based on an observed change in a physisorbed pattern of chlorobenzene or toluene at Si(111)-(7x7), from "triangles" to "circles". Electronic excitation, at an applied surface voltage of Vs = -2.0 V, caused molecular migration, by one atomic site, from under the tip (switch "off"). Thereafter, the adsorbate pattern reverted thermally from circles to triangles (switch "on") across a measured activation barrier of Ea = 0.3 eV for chlorobenzene and 0.2 eV for toluene.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry and Institute of Optical Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3H6, Canada.
authors.forename: Xuekun
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Lu
authors.forename: John C
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: Polanyi
authors.forename: Jody S Y
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D002722:Chlorobenzenes / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D039301:Computers, Molecular; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D004574:Electromagnetic Fields; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D008422:Materials Testing; D008968:Molecular Conformation / Q000528:radiation effects; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000528:radiation effects; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects; D036103:Nanotechnology / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000295:instrumentation*; D012825:Silicon / Q000737:chemistry; D014050:Toluene / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000528:radiation effects
chemical_list: D002722:Chlorobenzenes; D020409:Molecular Motor Proteins; D014050:Toluene; C031294:chlorobenzene; D012825:Silicon