Control and imaging of single-molecule spectral dynamics using a nano-electrode

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how a scanning nano-electrode can reversibly manipulate the spectral properties of single molecules at cryogenic temperatures, enabling potential imaging of nearby two-level systems.

Contribution

It introduces a novel experimental approach using a nano-electrode to control and image spectral dynamics of single molecules with high precision.

Findings

Reversible Stark shifts up to 100 times observed

Linewidth increases greater than 10 times the natural linewidth

Voltage less than 10 V can induce significant spectral changes

Abstract

We study the influence of a scanning nano-electrode on fluorescence excitation spectra of single terrylene molecules embedded in thin p-terphenyl films at cryogenic temperatures. We show that applied voltages less than 10 V can result in reversible Stark shifts of up to 100 times and linewidth increase greater than 10 times the natural linewidth. We discuss the potential of our experimental scheme for direct imaging of individual two-level systems (TLS) in the nanometer vicinity of single molecules.