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Controlled low-temperature molecular manipulation of sexiphenyl molecules on Ag(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy

Saw-Wai Hla·Kai-Felix Braun·Bernhard Wassermann·Karl-Heinz Rieder
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Abstract

A novel scanning tunneling microscope manipulation scheme for a controlled molecular transport of weakly adsorbed molecules is demonstrated. Single sexiphenyl molecules adsorbed on a Ag(111) surface at 6 K are shot towards single silver-atoms by excitation with the tip. To achieve atomically straight shooting paths, an electron resonator consisting of linear standing wave fronts is constructed. The sexiphenyl manipulation signals reveal a pi-ring flipping as the molecule moves from hcp to fcc site. Abinitio calculations show an incorporation of the Ag atom below the center of a pi-ring.

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Saw-Wai Hla, Kai-Felix Braun, Bernhard Wassermann, Karl-Heinz Rieder. 2004-11-09. Controlled low-temperature molecular manipulation of sexiphenyl molecules on Ag(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.93.208302

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