Controlled single atom and single molecule contacts.
The scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) may be used to prepare contacts to single atoms or molecules on surfaces and to investigate the transport of electrons through these junctions. The imaging capabilities of STM along with spectroscopic modes of measurement enable a rather detailed characterisation of the geometric and electronic properties of the contacts. This perspective presents recent investigations into the quantum transport through magnetic atoms and C(60) molecules.
Berndt
R
R
Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel, D-24098 Kiel, Germany.
Kröger
J
J
Néel
N
N
Schull
G
G