Electronically Induced Atom Motion in Engineered CoCun Nanostructures
Joseph A. Stroscio,1*
Francesca Tavazza,2
Jason N. Crain,1
Robert J. Celotta,1
Anne M. Chaka2
We have measured the quantum yield for exciting the motion of
a single Co atom in CoCu
n linear molecules constructed on a
Cu(111) surface. The Co atom switched between two lattice positions
during electron excitation from the tip of a scanning tunneling
microscope. The tip location with highest probability for inducing
motion was consistent with the position of an active state identified
through electronic structure calculations. Atom motion within
the molecule decreased with increased molecular length and reflected
the corresponding variation in electronic structure.
2 Chemical Science and Technology Laboratory, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899–8412, USA.
* To whom correspondence should be addressed. E-mail: joseph.stroscio{at}nist.gov
