Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 18, 2026

High-Contrast and Fast Photorheological Switching of a Twist-Bend Nematic Liquid Crystal
Published on: October 31, 2019
Reversible switching of single tin phthalocyanine molecules on the InAs(111)A surface
C Nacci1, K Kanisawa, S Fölsch
1Paul-Drude-Institut für Festkörperelektronik, Hausvogteiplatz 5-7, 10117 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract:
Individual tin phthalocyanine (SnPc) molecules adsorbed on the InAs(111)A surface were studied by low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscopy (STM) at 5 K. Consistently with the nonplanar molecular structure, SnPc adopts two in-plane adsorption geometries with the centre Sn atom either above (SnPc(up)) or below (SnPc(down)) the molecular plane. Depending on the current and bias applied to the tunnel junction, the molecule can be reversibly switched between the two conformations, implying a controlled transfer of the Sn atom through the molecular plane. The SnPc(down) conformer is characterized by an enhanced surface bonding as compared to the SnPc(up) conformer. SnPc(up) molecules can be repositioned by the STM tip by means of lateral manipulation, whereas this is not feasible for SnPc(down) molecules. The reversible switching process thus enables one to either laterally move the molecule or anchor it to the semiconductor surface.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Thermal Sigmatropic Reactions: Overview
Sigmatropic shifts are classified based on an order term [i, j ], where i and j indicate the number of atoms across which each end of the σ bond migrates. Below are examples of a [3,3] sigmatropic shift in 1,5-hexadiene, referred to as...
Woodward–Hoffmann Selection Rules and Microscopic Reversibility
Thermal and Photochemical Electrocyclic Reactions: Overview

