Reversible 2D Phase Transition Driven by an Electric Field : Visualization and Control on the Atomic Scale
Wortmann, Ben (University of Duisburg-Essen. Faculty of Physics. Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE))
Vörden, D. V. (University of Duisburg-Essen. Faculty of Physics. Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE))
Graf, P. (University of Duisburg-Essen. Faculty of Physics. Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE))
Robles, Roberto (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Abufager, Paula (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Lorente Palacios, Nicolás (Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia)
Bobisch, Christian A (University of Duisburg-Essen. Faculty of Physics. Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE))
Möller, Rolf (University of Duisburg-Essen. Faculty of Physics. Center for Nanointegration Duisburg-Essen (CENIDE))

Date:	2016
Abstract:	We report on a reversible structural phase transition of a two-dimensional system that can be locally induced by an external electric field. Two different structural configurations may coexist within a CO monolayer on Cu(111). The balance between the two phases can be shifted by an external electric field, causing the domain boundaries to move, increasing the area of the favored phase controllable both in location and size. If the field is further enhanced new domains nucleate. The arrangement of the CO molecules on the Cu surface is observed in real time and real space with atomic resolution while the electric field driving the phase transition is easily varied over a broad range. Together with the well-known molecular manipulation of CO adlayers, our findings open exciting prospects for combining spontaneous long-range order with man-made CO structures such as "molecule cascades" or "molecular graphene". Our new manipulation mode permits us to bridge the gap between fundamental concepts and the fabrication of arbitrary atomic patterns in large scale, by providing unprecedented insight into the physics of structural phase transitions on the atomic scale.
Grants:	Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad SEV-2013-0295 Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad MAT2012-38318-C03-02
Rights:	Tots els drets reservats.
Language:	Anglès
Document:	Article ; recerca ; Versió acceptada per publicar
Subject:	Atomic and molecular physics ; Chemical physics ; Condensed matter physics ; Material science ; Nanophysics
Published in:	Nano letters, Vol. 16, Núm. 1 (January 2016) , p. 528-533, ISSN 1530-6992

DOI: 10.1021/acs.nanolett.5b04174

Post-print 18 p, 3.2 MB

The record appears in these collections:
Research literature > UAB research groups literature > Research Centres and Groups (research output) > Experimental sciences > Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2)
Articles > Research articles
Articles > Published articles