title: Controlling single-molecule junction conductance by molecular interactions.
abstract: For the rational design of single-molecular electronic devices, it is essential to understand environmental effects on the electronic properties of a working molecule. Here we investigate the impact of molecular interactions on the single-molecule conductance by accurately positioning individual molecules on the electrode. To achieve reproducible and precise conductivity measurements, we utilize relatively weak π-bonding between a phenoxy molecule and a STM-tip to form and cleave one contact to the molecule. The anchoring to the other electrode is kept stable using a chalcogen atom with strong bonding to a Cu(110) substrate. These non-destructive measurements permit us to investigate the variation in single-molecule conductance under different but controlled environmental conditions. Combined with density functional theory calculations, we clarify the role of the electrostatic field in the environmental effect that influences the molecular level alignment.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kitaguchi
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Habuka
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Okuyama
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hatta
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Kyoto University, Kyoto 606-8502, Japan.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Aruga
authors.affiliation: 1] Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC), 20018 San Sebastián, Spain [2] IKERBASQUE, Basque Foundation for Science, E-48013, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Frederiksen
authors.affiliation: School of Computer Science, Physics and Mathematics, Linnaeus University, 391 82 Kalmar, Sweden.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulsson
authors.affiliation: Division of Nano and New Functional Materials Science, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, University of Toyama, Toyama 930-8555, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ueba