MIT.nano Seminar: Leo Gross

The October MIT.nano Seminar will feature a talk by Leo Gross, research scientist at IBM Research Zurich.

On-surface reactions and single-molecule charge transitions controlled by atom manipulation

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].

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)

This talk is open to the public and will be given virtually.

The MIT.nano Seminar Series is a monthly lecture on topics related to nanoscience and nanotechnology given by an expert in the field. The series is organized by MIT Assistant Professor Farnaz Niroui.