MIT.nano Seminar: On-surface reactions and single-molecule charge transitions controlled by atom manipulation—Oct. 18

Please join us for the October MIT.nano Seminar Series:

Leo Gross headshotLeo Gross

Research Staff, IBM Research–Zurich

Date: Monday, October 18, 2021
Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT
Location: Zoom webinar; register to receive the link.

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Abstract

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) with functionalized tips achieves atomic and bond-resolved resolution providing insights into the structure, aromaticity, charge states, and bond-order relations of individual molecules [1]. The products of on-surface reactions can be resolved and characterized. Recently, we generated by atom manipulation the elusive carbon allotrope cyclo[18]carbon and resolved its debated structure [2]. 

On insulating substrates, we can control the charge states of molecules. With ultra-high-resolution imaging we resolve how the oxidation state of molecules affects their structure [3]. By alternatively attaching and detaching single charges from a molecule on an insulator, we probe transitions between charged and excited states, and quantify singlet and triplet excitation energies [4].

Cyclo[18]carbon created by atom manipulation on bilayer NaCl on Cu(111). Bottom row: constant-height AFM measurements with a CO functionalized tip [2].

Figure: Cyclo[18]carbon created by atom manipulation on bilayer NaCl on Cu(111). Bottom row: constant-height AFM measurements with a CO functionalized tip [2]. 

References:
[1] L. Gross et al. Angew. Chem Int. Ed. 57, 3888 (2018)
[2] K. Kaiser et al. Science 365, 1299 (2019)
[3] S. Fatayer et al. Science 365, 142 (2019)
[4] S. Fatayer et al. Phys. Rev. Lett. 126, 176801 (2021)

Biography

Leo Gross has worked as a research staff member at IBM Research–Zurich since 2009. He is the team lead of the atom and molecule manipulation group. He and his team study single molecules and on-surface reactions by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Leo Gross’ group develops and applies AFM as a tool for molecular structure elucidation and investigates single electron charging and transfer on the atomic scale.

Leo Gross received his PhD in Physics in 2005 from the Free University of Berlin in the group of Prof. K.-H. Rieder and has been with the IBM Research–Zurich Laboratory since 2005, when he originally joined IBM Research as a postdoc in the group of Dr. G. Meyer. Gross received the Gerhard Ertl Young Investigator Award in 2010 and the Feynman Prize for Nanotechnology in 2012. He has received various research grants including the ERC Consolidator Grant (2016) and the ERC Synergy Grant (2021).