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Unidirectional Motion of Single Molecules at Surfaces

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Single Molecule Mechanics on a Surface

Part of the book series: Advances in Atom and Single Molecule Machines ((AASMM))

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Abstract

It is a basic concept of physical chemistry that in thermal equilibrium every individual process is compensated by its reverse process, which is called microscopic reversibility. It is therefore a challenge to realize unidirectional motion of atoms and molecules. Here, various examples of unidirectional motion at surfaces are presented, which cover both rotation and translation of single molecules. Two ways to achieve unidirectionality are discussed. First, the presence of a local gradient that deforms the potential energy surface and leads to unidirectionality. This can be caused by the tip of a scanning tunneling microscope, which is also a very suitable instrument to follow the motion of individual molecules. Second, intrinsic unidirectionality of a molecule-surface system, which is of particular interest to be employed in molecular machines for useful work at the atomic scale.

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Acknowledgements

Financial support from the European Commission via the MEMO project (FET open project no. 766864) is gratefully acknowledged.

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  1. Department of Physical Chemistry, University of Graz, Heinrichstrasse 28, Graz, Austria

    Grant J. Simpson & Leonhard Grill

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  1. Grant J. Simpson
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Correspondence to Leonhard Grill .

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  1. Centre for Advancing Electronics Dresden, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Sachsen, Germany

    Francesca Moresco

  2. Pico-Lab CEMES-CNRS, Centre d’Élaboration de Matériaux et d’Etudes Structurales, Toulouse, France

    Christian Joachim

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Simpson, G.J., Grill, L. (2023). Unidirectional Motion of Single Molecules at Surfaces. In: Moresco, F., Joachim, C. (eds) Single Molecule Mechanics on a Surface. Advances in Atom and Single Molecule Machines. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16930-4_1

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