Probing and modifying the chemical and magnetic properties of single atoms and molecules

Speaker: Zsolt Majzik, IBM Research-Zurich Switzerland
Date & Time: Wednesday April 5th, 2017, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Location: AMPEL 311
Local Contact: Sarah Burke/Doug Bonn
Intended Audience:

I will prove you that nc-AFM and STM is a powerful tool for resolving and modifying the structure of molecules at the atomic scale. Advances in scanning probe microscopy opened new routes for studying highly reactive compounds. In particular, I will focus on the synthesis and characterization of conjugated systems containing radicals. Until now, the fundamental analyses of these reactive compounds have been limited to theoretical works or the lifetime of a molecule was increased by careful attachment of protecting ligands for experimental investigations. We deposited custom synthesized precursor molecules and carried out the final synthesis step in UHV environment via atomic manipulation. We used combined AFM/STM analyses supported by DFT calculations to determine the aromatic configuration of on-surface generated molecules.

In  the  second  part  of  my  talk,  I  will  show you that by manipulating Cr atoms on the surface of Cu₂N the behavior  of  the  Kondo  screening can  be  fine-tuned.  The magnetic states of atoms were monitored by inelastic tunneling spectroscopy, which was performed at 1 K. Throughout my presentation, I will highlight some of the technical challenges we had to solve to be able to carry out our desired experiments.