Radio-Wave Oscillations of Molecular-Chain Resonators
Sprache des Titels:
Englisch
Original Kurzfassung:
We report a new type of nanomechanical resonator system based on one-dimensional chains of only 4 to
7 weakly coupled small molecules. Experimental characterization of the truly nanoscopic resonators is
achieved by means of a novel radio-frequency scanning tunneling microscopy detection technique at
cryogenic temperatures. Above 20 K we observe concerted oscillations of the individual molecules in
chains, reminiscent of the first and second eigenmodes of a one-dimensional harmonic resonator. Radiofrequency
scanning tunneling microscopy based frequency measurement reveals a characteristic length
dependence of the oscillation frequency (between 51 and 127 MHz) in reasonable agreement with onedimensional
oscillator models. Our study demonstrates a new strategy for investigating and controlling the
resonance properties of nanomechanical oscillators.