title: Electron transfer dynamics of bistable single-molecule junctions.
abstract: We present transport measurements of single-molecule junctions bridged by a molecule with three benzene rings connected by two double bonds and with thiol end-groups that allow chemical binding to gold electrodes. The I-V curves show switching behavior between two distinct states. By statistical analysis of the switching events, we show that a 300 meV mode mediates the transition between the two states. We propose that breaking and reformation of a S-H bond in the contact zone between molecule and electrode explains the observed bistability.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microtechnology and Nanoscience, Chalmers University of Technology, Göteborg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Andrey V
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Danilov
authors.forename: Sergey E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Kubatkin
authors.forename: Sergey G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Kafanov
authors.forename: Karsten
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Flensberg
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Bjørnholm
mesh_terms: D001554:Benzene / Q000737:chemistry*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017097:Electric Impedance; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000379:methods*; D004579:Electron Transport; D007700:Kinetics; D008839:Microelectrodes; D008956:Models, Chemical; D008958:Models, Molecular; D049329:Nanostructures / Q000737:chemistry*; D012666:Semiconductors
chemical_list: D001554:Benzene