Molecular flexure and atom trapping with sexiphenyl molecules by scanning tunneling microscope manipulation

Abstract

Molecular flexure, and molecule-metal contact of para-sexiphenyl molecules on a Ag(111) surface are investigated by using low temperature scanning tunneling microscopy, and molecular manipulations. Atom trapping with sexiphenyl molecules is realized by laterally manipulating the molecules onto individual silver atoms and up to three silver atoms have been trapped. We also demonstrate breaking of a silver dimer into individual silver atoms by atom trapping. STM manipulation experiments show that the molecule-metal complexes formed by the atom trapping are mechanically stable. Moreover, Lateral manipulation of a single sexiphenyl across a Ag(111) atomic step highlights how the molecule moves across step-edges; the molecule can easily conform across the step and it recovers original configuration after the manipulation.