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Updated: Aug 11, 2026

Atomic Force Microscopy of Red-Light Photoreceptors Using PeakForce Quantitative Nanomechanical Property Mapping
Published on: October 24, 2014
Photoswitching behavior of a novel single molecular tip for noncontact atomic force microscopy designed for chemical
Daiko Takamatsu1, Yoko Yamakoshi, Ken-ichi Fukui
1Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-W4-10 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, 152-8551, Japan.
Abstract:
A tripod molecule with an azobenzene arm was designed as a single molecular tip for noncontact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM). The azobenzene moiety showed photoisomerization that enabled measurements of the same position of the sample by different tip apexes with different interactions. Photoswitching behavior of the molecule synthesized and adsorbed on Au surfaces was examined and reversible switching between the trans- and cis forms was successfully confirmed by NC-AFM measurements.

