STM-based spectroscopies of single-molecule and single-atom contacts

DIPC Seminars

Speaker

Richard Berndt, Institut für Experimentelle und Angewandte Physik, Christian-Albrechts-Universität zu Kiel.

When

2015/07/30
14:00

Place

Donostia International Physics Center (DIPC). Paseo Manuel de Lardizabal, 4, Donostia

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We use low-temperature STM to investigate metallic and molecular contacts and switches. The shot noise of the current passing through a single quantum structure contains additional information on the electron transport channels that is not accessible by DC conductance measurements alone. Due to many other noise sources shot noise has scarcely been addressed with STM. In this talk I present results from noise spectroscopy of controlled STM-made contacts. As to molecules, I plan to report on spin-state switching and remote switching within a single molecule. Moreover, the voltage drop in a single-molecule junction will be experimentally addressed. Being a two-terminal device the STM lacks a gate electrode for tuning the energy levels of nanostructures. I may discuss an experimental approach to tuning of the levels of a single donor without a third electrode. Using this method, we investigated and identified donors in ZnO. As a byproduct, we discovered a new stabilization mechanism of the polar (0001) surface of ZnO. Finally, I plan to finish this talk within 45 minutes.