Electrical molecular switch addressed by chemical stimuli.

We demonstrate that the conductance switching of benzo-bis(imidazole) molecules upon protonation depends on the lateral functional groups. The protonated H-substituted molecule shows a higher conductance than the neutral one (Gpro > Gneu), while the opposite (Gneu > Gpro) is observed for a molecule laterally functionalized by amino-phenyl groups. These results are demonstrated at various scale lengths: self-assembled monolayers, tiny nanodot-molecule junctions and single molecules.

Deformation Localization in Molecular Layers Constrained between Self-Assembled Au Nanoparticles.

The localized deformation of molecular monolayers constrained between the spherical surfaces of Au nanoparticles is studied by means of molecular dynamics simulations. Alkyl or polyethylene glycol long-chain molecules were homogeneously distributed over the curved Au surface, pushed against each other by repeated cycles of force relaxation and constant-volume equilibration at temperatures increasing from 50 to 300 K before being slowly quenched to near-zero temperature. Plots of minimum configurational energy can be obtained as a function of the nanoparticle distance, according to different directions of approach; therefore, such simulations describe a range of deformations, from perfectly uniaxial compression to a combination of compression and shear.

Surface-induced optimal packing of two-dimensional molecular networks.

High-density packing in organic crystals is usually associated with an increase of the coordination between molecules. Such a concept is not necessarily extended to two-dimensional molecular networks self-assembled on a solid surface, for which we demonstrate the key role of the surface in inducing the optimal packing. By a combination of scanning tunneling microscopy experiments and multiscale computer simulations, we study the phase transition between two polymorphs.

Nanoscale carrier multiplication mapping in a Si diode.

Carrier multiplication (CM), the creation of electron-hole pairs from an excited electron, has been investigated in a silicon p-n junction by multiple probe scanning tunneling microscopy. The technique enables an unambiguous determination of the quantum yield based on the direct measurement of both electron and hole currents that are generated by hot tunneling electrons. The combined effect of impact ionization, carrier diffusion, and recombination is directly visualized from the spatial mapping of the CM efficiency.

Modelling and engineering of stress based controlled oxidation effects for silicon nanostructure patterning.

Silicon nanostructure patterning with tight geometry control is an important challenge at the bottom level. In that context, stress based controlled oxidation appears to be an efficient tool for precise nanofabrication. Here, we investigate the stress-retarded oxidation phenomenon in various silicon nanostructures (nanobeams, nanorings and nanowires) at both the experimental and the theoretical levels.