Contact formation dynamics: Mapping chemical bond formation between a molecule and a metallic probe.

Naydenov, Borislav; Teague, Lucile C; Ryan, Peter; Boland, John J · Nano Lett · 2006

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

We present a study that maps out chemical bond formation between a Pt-inked probe and a single 1,3-cyclohexadiene (1,3-CHD) molecule on Si(100). By separating the mechanical and electronic contributions to the current during the approach to contact, we show that there are significant forces between the probe and the C=C of the molecule and we track the relaxation of the molecule, the emergence of a chemical bond feature in the LDOS, and the quenching of specific molecular vibrations during bond formation.

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