Measuring the conductance of a single molecule
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Bristol
Department Name: Physics
Abstract
Work involves measuring electronic/spin transport properties of metalmolecule-metal
junctions, but rather than using gold electrodes which have
frequently been used in past work, the effects of using ferromagnetic
electrodes such as cobalt will be investigated. This will be done using two
methods; the already implemented scanning tunnelling microscope break
junction (STM-BJ) and a mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ), which will be designed and constructed to enable measurements to be
made in a system with high mechanical stability and reduced influence of
contaminants when compared with the STM-BJ.
junctions, but rather than using gold electrodes which have
frequently been used in past work, the effects of using ferromagnetic
electrodes such as cobalt will be investigated. This will be done using two
methods; the already implemented scanning tunnelling microscope break
junction (STM-BJ) and a mechanically controllable break junction (MCBJ), which will be designed and constructed to enable measurements to be
made in a system with high mechanical stability and reduced influence of
contaminants when compared with the STM-BJ.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
| Walther Schwarzacher (Primary Supervisor) | |
| Keisha Michael (Student) |
Studentship Projects
| Project Reference | Relationship | Related To | Start | End | Student Name |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| EP/N509619/1 | 01/10/2016 | 30/09/2021 | |||
| 1793826 | Studentship | EP/N509619/1 | 01/10/2016 | 31/03/2020 | Keisha Michael |
| Description | Demonstrated the ability to take molecular conductance measurements with ferromagnetic electrodes without reducing the surface oxide. |
| Exploitation Route | More scope to take molecular conductance measurements in a magnetic field using MCBJ techniques as it may not be necessary to use electrochemical control or alternative methods to prevent surface oxidation of substrates. |
| Sectors | Other |