Giving electrons a ride: nanomechanical electron shuttles

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a nanomechanical electron shuttle device where a gold nanoparticle oscillates between electrodes, transferring electrons, with experimental results matching computer simulations, offering a new approach to controlled charge transport.

Contribution

The paper reports the fabrication and characterization of a novel nanomechanical electron shuttle device using a gold nanoparticle and organic molecule springs.

Findings

Measured current-voltage characteristics match simulations

Nanoparticle oscillation enables controlled electron transfer

Device demonstrates potential for nanoscale charge transport

Abstract

Nanomechanical shuttles transferring small groups of electrons or even individual electrons from one electrode to another offer a novel approach to the problem of controlled charge transport. Here, we report the fabrication of shuttle-junctions consisting of a 20 nm diameter gold nanoparticle embedded within the gap between two gold electrodes. The nanoparticle is attached to the electrodes through a monolayer of flexible organic molecules which play the role of springs so that when a sufficient voltage bias is applied, then nanoparticle starts to oscillate transferring electrons from one electrode to the other. Current-voltage characteristics for the fabricated devices have been measured and compared with the results of our computer simulations.