title: A molecular switch based on current-driven rotation of an encapsulated cluster within a fullerene cage.
abstract: By scanning tunneling microscopy imaging and electronic structure theory, we investigate a single-molecule switch based on tunneling electron-driven rotation of a triangular Sc3N cluster within an icosahedral C80 fullerene cage among three pairs of enantiomorphic configurations. Bias-dependent action spectra and modeling implicate the antisymmetric stretch vibration of Sc3N cluster as the gateway for energy transfer from the tunneling electrons into the cluster rotation. Hierarchical switching of conductivity among multiple stationary states while maintaining a constant molecular shape, offers an advantage for the integration of endohedral fullerene-based single-molecule switches into multiple logic state molecular devices.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physics and Astronomy and Petersen Institute of NanoScience and Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15260, United States.
authors.forename: Tian
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Feng
authors.forename: Alexey A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Popov
authors.forename: Shangfeng
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Lothar
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Dunsch
authors.forename: Hrvoje
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Petek