Speaker
Description
The geometry of atoms in molecules and materials governs their properties. The controlled manipulation of their arrangement on the atomic scale is however limited with current technology.
This work explores non-contact atomic force microscopy (NC-AFM) as one possible tool to achieve this goal. Individual molecules of nonahelicene ([9]H) and coronene (Cor) are studied on a Ag(110)-surface and compared with each other. It is shown that the observed response of both molecules can be reproduced by empirical models, although an elastic contribution is required to rationalize the difference of the spring-like [9]H to the flat and stiff Cor. Systematic measurements of the [9]H response resulted in dense 3D datasets. Their analysis yields maps which not only reveal the elastic behaviour of [9]H with submolecular resolution but also the relevant contributing factors originating from the tip-molecule interaction.
In summary, this work paves the way towards the controlled systematic manipulation of single-molecule properties with submolecular accuracy.
