Single Molecule Spintronics
Lead Research Organisation:
University of Liverpool
Department Name: Chemistry
Abstract
Most information processing devices, including state of the art microchips, rely on the movement of charge. However, electrons as well as possessing charge also have the quantum mechanical property called spin, which is responsible for magnetic phenomena, for example. Devices which rely on the movement of spin to perform their function are known as magnetoelectronic or spintronic devices. Spintronic applications could include ultra-fast switches or combined logic / storage devices.Recent theoretical studies predict that organic molecules would make excellent components for spintronic devices (Rocha et al., Nature Materials, 2005). Therefore, to measure the spin transport properties of organic molecules is an extremely important goal. We have recently shown that a high resolution probe microscope (a scanning tunnelling microscope or 'STM') can be used to measure the electrical properties of single molecules in a wide variety of environments, including solutions. We propose to adapt these methods to measure the spintronic properties of organic molecular wires down to the single molecule level for the first time. This will contribute to the scientific understanding of how spin is transported through molecules.
Organisations
People |
ORCID iD |
Richard Nichols (Principal Investigator) |
Publications

Haiss W
(2008)
Variable contact gap single-molecule conductance determination for a series of conjugated molecular bridges.
in Journal of physics. Condensed matter : an Institute of Physics journal

Kay NJ
(2012)
Single-molecule electrochemical gating in ionic liquids.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society

Leary E
(2007)
Chemical control of double barrier tunnelling in alpha,omega-dithiaalkane molecular wires.
in Chemical communications (Cambridge, England)

Li JJ
(2015)
Giant single-molecule anisotropic magnetoresistance at room temperature.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society

Martín S
(2008)
A Comprehensive Study of the Single Molecule Conductance of a,?-Dicarboxylic Acid-Terminated Alkanes
in The Journal of Physical Chemistry C

Martín S
(2009)
Adverse effects of asymmetric contacts on single molecule conductances of HS(CH2)n COOH in nanoelectrical junctions.
in Nanotechnology

Medway S
(2006)
In situ studies of the oxidation of nickel electrodes in alkaline solution
in Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry

Ricci AM
(2010)
Electrochemical scanning tunneling spectroscopy of redox-active molecules bound by Au-C bonds.
in Journal of the American Chemical Society
Description | New methods for forming molecular junctions with metals other than gold. |
Exploitation Route | This has led to further development of single moelcular jucntions for moelcular electronics also involving contacts other than gold. |
Sectors | Chemicals Electronics |
Description | This work has involved development towards the measurements of charge and spin transport through singel molecules under ambient conditions and using electrochemical approaches. |
First Year Of Impact | 2008 |