A Device Structure for Electronic Transport Through Individual Molecules with Strong Coupling to Metallic Electrodes

TL;DR

This paper introduces a reliable method for creating nanoscale electrodes for measuring electronic transport through individual organic molecules, demonstrating strong molecule-electrode coupling and potential for integrated circuits.

Contribution

A simple fabrication technique for stable nanoscale electrodes enabling measurement of single-molecule electronic properties with strong contact coupling.

Findings

Measured resistance of single molecules: 9MΩ and 26MΩ.

Electrode fabrication via electromigration creates stable, integrated-compatible structures.

Results support models of mesoscopic transport with strong contact coupling.

Abstract

We present a simple and reliable method for making electrical contacts to small organic molecules with thiol endgroups. Nanometer-scale gaps between metallic electrodes have been fabricated by passing a large current through a lithographically-patterned Au-line with appropriate thickness. Under appropriate conditions, the passage of current breaks the Au-line, creating two opposite facing electrodes separated by a gap comparable to the length of small organic molecules. Current-voltage characteristics have been measured both before and after deposition of short organic molecules. The resistance of single 1,4-benzenedithiol and 1,4-bezenedimethanedithiol molecules were found to be 9M$\Omega$ and 26M$\Omega$, respectively. The experimental results indicate strong electronic copuling to the contacts and are discussed using a relatively simple model of mesoscopic transport. The use of electrodes formed on an insulating surface by lithography and electromigration provides a stable structure suitable for integrated circuit applications.