Abstract
We investigate the formation and evolution of Au–CO single-molecule break junctions. The conductance histogram exhibits two distinct molecular configurations, which are further investigated by a combined statistical analysis. According to conditional histogram and correlation analysis these molecular configurations show strong anticorrelations with each other and with pure Au monoatomic junctions and atomic chains. We identify molecular precursor configurations with somewhat higher conductance, which are formed prior to single-molecule junctions. According to detailed length analysis two distinct types of molecule-affected chain-formation processes are observed, and we compare these results to former theoretical calculations considering bridge- and atop-type molecular configurations where the latter has reduced conductance due to destructive Fano interference.
Highlights
The break junction method is widely used to establish singlemolecule nanowires [1,2]
The conductance histogram of clean gold junctions at T = 4.2 K is shown in Figure 1 with black curve
We have observed the formation of two molecular configurations, which can stretch over several atom-atom distances, forming molecule-decorated atomic chains
Summary
The break junction method is widely used to establish singlemolecule nanowires [1,2]. During its controlled rupture a metallic wire thins down to atomic dimensions and breaks forming a nanometer-sized gap between the electrodes. This gap can be bridged by single molecules in a self-organized way. The break junction method allows for the statistical investigation of molecular junctions: by closing the junction the metallic electrodes can be reconnected, and afterwards by stretching and breaking the junction, new molecular junctions can be formed. During the rupture conductance traces are recorded, i.e., the conductance of the breaking wire is measured as a function of electrode displacement. By repeating the break-junction measurement several thousand times a statistical ensemble of conductance traces are collected, from which a conductance histogram can be plotted. Peaks in the histogram reflect the conductance of typical junction configurations, such as single-
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