Molecular Switches

1
Molecular Switches
Insert molecular switches in defects in
monolayers. Measure isolated molecules and
bundles. Recent measurements of 1000 molecules
indicate that they can be switched with an
applied electric field. Is this a cooperative or
single molecule effect?
Conjugated molecule synthesized by Jim Tour
group, Rice U.
2
Inserted Molecular Switches
Molecules insert at structural domain boundaries
and step edges of dodecanethiol monolayer.

• 2500 Å X 2500 Å
• Vsample 1 V, I 1 pA

500 Å X 500 Å Vsample 1 V, I 1 pA
3
Molecular Switching?
An isolated molecules transconductance appears
to change in these movie frames.
24
30
44

• 250 Å X 250 Å, Vsample 1 V, I 1 pA
• Frames at 27 sec intervals (number indicated)