title: Platinum-nanogaps for single-molecule electronics: room-temperature stability.
abstract: We present the formation of single-molecule devices based on nanometre-spaced platinum electrodes. The electrodes are fabricated using a self-breaking electromigration method which yields nanogaps with long-term stability at room temperature [Prins et al., APL, 2009, 94, 123108.]. The stability at room temperature allows for detailed comparison of the device electrical properties before and after deposition of the molecules. In this way, conductance as a result of direct tunneling between the electrodes can be distinguished from conductance through the molecule. After molecule deposition, some devices display transport in the strong coupling regime while others are in the weak-coupling Coulomb blockade regime. Gated transport is observed in the latter case.
authors.affiliation: Kavli Institute of Nanoscience, Delft University of Technology, Lorentzweg 1, 2628 CJ, Delft, The Netherlands. f.prins@tudelft.nl
authors.forename: Ferry
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prins
authors.forename: Ahson J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Shaikh
authors.forename: Jan H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: van Esch
authors.forename: Rienk
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Eelkema
authors.forename: Herre S J
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: van der Zant