Evidence for a single hydrogen molecule connected by an atomic chain

TL;DR

This paper provides evidence that a hydrogen-decorated platinum chain, connected by an H₂ molecule, forms a stable single-molecule conducting bridge, expanding understanding of molecular junction configurations at cryogenic temperatures.

Contribution

It identifies a new conductance feature as a hydrogen-decorated platinum chain contact, revealing a novel molecular bridge configuration.

Findings

Peak near 1 G₀ confirms Pt-H₂-Pt bridge formation

Lower conductance structure attributed to hydrogen-decorated Pt chain

Evidence supports a single H₂ molecule connected by an atomic chain

Abstract

Stable, single-molecule conducting-bridge configurations are typically identified from peak structures in a conductance histogram. In previous work on Pt with H$_2$ at cryogenic temperatures it has been shown that a peak near 1 $G{_0}$ identifies a single molecule Pt-H$_{2}$-Pt bridge. The histogram shows an additional structure with lower conductance that has not been identified. Here, we show that it is likely due to a hydrogen decorated Pt chain in contact with the H$_2$ molecular bridge.