Abstract
We measured currents through the single molecules of 1,6-hexanedithiol and 1,8-octanedithiol using a scanning tunneling microscope (STM) under ultrahigh vacuum (UHV). Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of alkanedithiols were formed on Au(111) surfaces of gold films deposited on mica by dipping them in each 1 mM ethanol solution of alkanedithiols for 1 min. The sample with each SAM was introduced into the UHV-STM chamber. The current was recorded as a bare Au STM tip was repeatedly pushed against and drawn away from the sample surface. In this way, the single molecules of each alkanedithiol compound bridged a gap between the Au(111) surface and the Au STM tip apex by forming S–Au bonds at both ends of the molecules. The single-molecular conductivities Gm6 and Gm8 of alkanedithiols (N=6, 8) in this break junction were found to be approximately 9.4×10-5G0 and 1.3×10-5G0 (G0: quantum conductance), respectively.
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