Controlled low-temperature molecular manipulation of sexiphenyl molecules on Ag(111) using scanning tunneling microscopy

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates a novel STM-based method for controlled manipulation of sexiphenyl molecules on Ag(111), including atomically precise transport and site-specific molecular flipping, supported by ab initio calculations.

Contribution

It introduces a new STM manipulation scheme for weakly adsorbed molecules, enabling controlled transport and site-specific molecular transformations.

Findings

Successful molecular transport towards single Ag atoms

Observation of pi-ring flipping during movement

Ab initio calculations showing Ag atom incorporation

Abstract

A novel scanning tunneling microscope manipulation scheme for a controlled molecular transport of weakly adsorbed molecules is demonstrated. Single sexiphenyl molecules adsorbed on a Ag(111) surface at 6 K are shot towards single silver-atoms by excitation with the tip. To achieve atomically straight shooting paths, an electron resonator consisting of linear standing wave fronts is constructed. The sexiphenyl manipulation signals reveal a pi-ring flipping as the molecule moves from hcp to fcc site. Abinitio calculations show an incorporation of the Ag atom below the center of a pi-ring.