title: Molecular seesaw: a three-way motion and motion-induced surface modification.
abstract: We introduce a three-way molecular motion which can be a suitable switching system in future molecule-based nanocircuits. A real-space investigation revealed that vinylferrocene adsorbs site-specifically on the Ge(100) surface and then shows a reversible tilting motion, similar to a seesaw. Unlike conventional molecular motions, it not only has three stable switching states at room temperature but also shows a motion-induced surface-structure modification, allowing surface-mediated signal transmission. Demonstrated STM-tip influence on the motion allows the feasibility of tip-induced manipulation.
authors.affiliation: Molecular-Level Interface Research Center, Department of Chemistry, KAIST, Daejeon 305-701, Korea.
authors.forename: Young Bin
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Soon Jung
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Jung
authors.forename: Young Hwan
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Min
authors.forename: Sehun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim