Nanoelectromechanical switch operating by tunneling of an entire C60 molecule

We present a solid state single molecule electronic device where switching between two states with different conductance happens predominantly by tunneling of an entire C60 molecule. This conclusion is based on a novel statistical analysis of approximately 10(5) switching events. The analysis yields (i) the relative contribution of tunneling, current induced heating and thermal fluctuations to the switching mechanism, (ii) the voltage dependent energy barrier (approximately 100-200 meV) separating the two states of the switch and (iii) the switching attempt frequency, omega0, corresponding to a 2.8 meV mode, which is most likely rotational.