Molecular switches
Sequential STM images of 4-(2-amino-4-pentafluorophenylethynyl phenylethynyl)benzenethiol (FAPPB)/decanoic acid(2-mercaptoethyl)amide (R1ATC9) obtained at alternating sample biases of +1.0 and -1.0 V. The majority of the FAPPB molecules (apparent protrusions, displayed as bright spots) switch conductance states between off at +1.0 V and on at -1.0 V sample bias. The red and green boxes follow one FAPPB molecule that exhibits this bias dependence. Imaging conditions: 4000 Å × 4000 Å, I = 2 pA. Credit: Lewis et al.