Control of long-distance motion of single molecules on a surface

Abstract

Telegraphing molecules Scanning tunneling microscope (STM) tips have long been used to manipulate atoms and molecules through direct interactions. Civita et al. now show that at cryogenic temperatures, the bias voltage from an STM tip can propel a large organic molecule, dibromoterfluorene, long distances—tens of nanometers along straight tracks on the flat silver (111) surface (see the Perspective by Esch and Lechner). This electrostatic effect requires the molecule to be oriented along the track, and derivatives lacking bromide groups would change direction. In a dual-tip setup, changing the bias voltage sent and received molecules between two specific points about 60 nanometers apart. Science , this issue p. 957 ; see also p. 912