Characterization of the molecule bridging nano-link electrodes byusing scanning probe microscope

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Electron conductance through a single molecule has attracted attentions because it is possible to control structures, electronic states and functional groups of the molecules. In spite of intensive studies, there are many questions left unanswered. In this study, we tried to measure the path by detecting vibrational modes of the molecules which are caused by the current. We employed scanning tunneling microscope (STM) setting for this purpose, in which the substrate metal surface is an electrode and the STM-tip is the other electrode. The results showed that almost complete vibrational signals of the alkanethiol molecule can be detected. The result was compared with a density-functional calculation, which shows an excellent agreement. In addition, we have found that a certain portion of the current are hopping between neighboring molecules, instead of confined in a single molecule from one electrode to the other.