Molecular transport through single molecules between epitaxially grown contacts

Prof. Dr. Holger Butenschön, Institut für Organische Chemie, University of Hannover, Prof. Dr. Herbert Pfnür and Dr. Christoph Tegenkamp, Institut für Festkörperphysik, University of Hannover 

In collaboration of a group from surface science with a group from organic chemistry, this experimental project combines the generation of nano-size contacts with the synthesis of ferrocene-based organic molecules and related cobalt systems, the implementation of single molecules into the contact geometry and their physical characterization by electrical transport measurements, tunneling microscopy and spectroscopy. Nano-size contacts will be realized using a combination of e-beam lithography, self organization and electromigration, using epitaxial, crystalline and extremely thin metallic structures of Ag and Pb on low-doped Si. This will realize contact geometries that allow the characterization of these contacts on the atomic level and the direct correlation of geometric structures and electronic states of the adsorbed molecules with the electric transport properties of them. Systematic studies of molecular transport properties include the variation of the metallic contact materials, the molecules attached to them, and the molecular groups forming the metal-molecule bond. This contribution  consists of introducing Ag and Pb as metallic structures and ferrocene-based molecules as well as sandwich complexes derived from (cyclobutadiene)­cyclopentadienyl­cobalt to be attached to the metals by a variety of end groups.

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