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Sensing of the Molecular Spin in Spin-Crossover Nanoparticles with Micromechanical Resonators

Dugay, J. (author), Giménez-Marqués, Mónica (author), Venstra, W.J. (author), Torres-Cavanillas, Ramón (author), Sheombarsing, U.N. (author), Manca, N. (author), Coronado, Eugenio (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

In the past years, the use of highly sensitive silicon microelectromechanical cantilevers has been proposed as a tool to characterize the spin-crossover phenomenon by employing fast optical readout of the motion. In this work, Fe ^II -based spin-crossover nanoparticles of the well-known [Fe(Htrz) ₂ (trz)](BF ₄...

journal article 2019

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Ground-state spin blockade in a single-molecule junction

de Bruijckere, J. (author), Gehring, P. (author), Palacios-Corella, M. (author), Coronado, E. (author), Paaske, J. (author), Hedegård, P. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

It is known that the quantum mechanical ground state of a nanoscale junction has a significant impact on its electrical transport properties. This becomes particularly important in transistors consisting of a single molecule. Because of strong electron-electron interactions and the possibility of accessing ground states with high spins, these...

journal article 2019

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Enhanced Separation Concept (ESC): Removing the Functional Subunit from the Electrode by Molecular Design

Brandl, Thomas (author), El Abbassi, M. (author), Stefani, D. (author), Frisenda, R. (author), Harzmann, Gero D. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Mayor, Marcel (author)

A new concept to improve the reliability of functional single molecule junctions is presented using the E-field triggered switching of Fe^IIbis-terpyridine complexes in a mechanically controlled break junction experiment as model system. The complexes comprise a push-pull ligand sensing the applied E-field and the resulting...

journal article 2019

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Creation of Conductive Graphene Materials by Bacterial Reduction Using Shewanella Oneidensis

Lehner, B. (author), Janssen, V.A.E.C. (author), Spiesz, E.M. (author), Benz, D. (author), Brouns, S.J.J. (author), Meyer, Anne S. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

Graphene's maximized surface-to-volume ratio, high conductance, mechanical strength, and flexibility make it a promising nanomaterial. However, large-scale graphene production is typically cost-intensive. This manuscript describes a microbial reduction approach for producing graphene that utilizes the bacterium Shewanella oneidensis in...

journal article 2019

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Mass measurement of graphene using quartz crystal microbalances

Dolleman, R.J. (author), Hsu, Z. (author), Vollebregt, S. (author), Sader, John E. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author), Ghatkesar, M.K. (author)

Current wafer-scale fabrication methods for graphene-based electronics and sensors involve the transfer of single-layer graphene by a support polymer. This often leaves some polymer residue on the graphene, which can strongly impact its electronic, thermal, and mechanical resonance properties. To assess the cleanliness of graphene fabrication...

journal article 2019

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Trapping and electrical characterization of single core/shell iron-based nanoparticles in self-aligned nanogaps

Labra Muñoz, J. (author), Konstantinović, Zorica (author), Balcells, Lluis (author), Pomar, Alberto (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Dulić, Diana (author)

We report on the fabrication and measurements of platinum-self-aligned nanogap devices containing cubed iron (core)/iron oxide (shell) nanoparticles (NPs) with two average different sizes (13 and 17 nm). The nanoparticles are deposited by means of a cluster gun technique. Their trapping across the nanogap is demonstrated by comparing the...

journal article 2019

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Highly anisotropic mechanical and optical properties of 2D layered As₂S₃ membranes

Siskins, M. (author), Lee, M. (author), Alijani, F. (author), Van Blankenstein, Mark R. (author), Davidovikj, D. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

Two-dimensional (2D) materials with strong in-plane anisotropy are of interest for enabling orientation-dependent, frequency-tunable, optomechanical devices. However, black phosphorus (bP), the 2D material with the largest anisotropy to date, is unstable as it degrades in air. In this work we show that As₂S₃ is an...

journal article 2019

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A highly conductive fibre network enables centimetre-scale electron transport in multicellular cable bacteria

Meysman, F.J.R. (author), Cornelissen, Rob (author), Trashin, Stanislav (author), Bonné, Robin (author), van der Veen, J.R. (author), Blom, C.J. (author), Beaumont, H.J.E. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Boschker, H.T.S. (author)

Biological electron transport is classically thought to occur over nanometre distances, yet recent studies suggest that electrical currents can run along centimetre-long cable bacteria. The phenomenon remains elusive, however, as currents have not been directly measured, nor have the conductive structures been identified. Here we demonstrate...

journal article 2019

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Efficient heating of single-molecule junctions for thermoelectric studies at cryogenic temperatures

Gehring, P. (author), van der Star, M. (author), Evangeli, Charalambos (author), Le Roy, Jennifer J. (author), Bogani, Lapo (author), Kolosov, Oleg V. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

The energy dependent thermoelectric response of a single molecule contains valuable information about its transmission function and its excited states. However, measuring it requires devices that can efficiently heat up one side of the molecule while being able to tune its electrochemical potential over a wide energy range. Furthermore, to...

journal article 2019

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Sealing graphene nanodrums

Lee, M. (author), Davidovikj, D. (author), Sajadi, B. (author), Siskins, M. (author), Alijani, F. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

Despite theoretical predictions that graphene should be impermeable to all gases, practical experiments on sealed graphene nanodrums show small leak rates. Thus far, the exact mechanism for this permeation has remained unclear, because different potential leakage pathways have not been studied separately. Here, we demonstrate a sealing method...

journal article 2019

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Unravelling the conductance path through single-porphyrin junctions

El Abbassi, M. (author), Zwick, Patrick (author), Rates, Alfredo (author), Stefani, D. (author), Prescimone, Alessandro (author), Mayor, Marcel (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Dulić, Diana (author)

Porphyrin derivatives are key components in natural machinery enabling us to store sunlight as chemical energy. In spite of their prominent role in cascades separating electrical charges and their potential as sensitizers in molecular devices, reports concerning their electronic transport characteristics are inconsistent. Here we report a...

journal article 2019

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Atomically thin p-n junctions based on two-dimensional materials

Frisenda, Riccardo (author), Molina-Mendoza, Aday J. (author), Mueller, Thomas (author), Castellanos-Gomez, Andres (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

Recent research in two-dimensional (2D) materials has boosted a renovated interest in the p–n junction, one of the oldest electrical components which can be used in electronics and optoelectronics. 2D materials offer remarkable flexibility to design novel p–n junction device architectures, not possible with conventional bulk semiconductors. In...

journal article 2018

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Robust organic radical molecular junctions using acetylene terminated groups for c-au bond formation

Bejarano, Francesc (author), Olavarria Contreras, I.J. (author), Droghetti, Andrea (author), Rungger, Ivan (author), Rudnev, Alexander (author), Gutiérrez, Diego (author), Mas-Torrent, Marta (author), Veciana, Jaume (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Burzuri Linares, E. (author)

Organic paramagnetic and electroactive molecules are attracting interest as core components of molecular electronic and spintronic devices. Currently, further progress is hindered by the modest stability and reproducibility of the molecule/electrode contact. We report the synthesis of a persistent organic radical bearing one and two terminal...

journal article 2018

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On-chip heaters for tension tuning of graphene nanodrums

Davidovikj, D. (author), Poot, M. (author), Cartamil Bueno, S.J. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

For the study and application of graphene membranes, it is essential to have means to control their resonance frequency and temperature. Here, we present an on-chip heater platform for local tuning of in-plane tension in graphene mechanical resonators. By Joule heating of a metallic suspension ring we show thermomechanical resonance frequency...

journal article 2018

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Graphene gas pumps

Davidovikj, D. (author), Bouwmeester, Damian (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

We report on the development of a pneumatically coupled graphene membrane system, comprising of two circular cavities connected by a narrow trench. Both cavities and the trench are covered by a thin few-layer graphene membrane to form a sealed dumbbell-shaped chamber. Local electrodes at the bottom of each cavity allow for actuation of each...

journal article 2018

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Opto-thermally excited multimode parametric resonance in graphene membranes

Dolleman, R.J. (author), Houri, S. (author), Chandrashekar, A. (author), Alijani, F. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

In the field of nanomechanics, parametric excitations are of interest since they can greatly enhance sensing capabilities and eliminate cross-talk. Above a certain threshold of the parametric pump, the mechanical resonator can be brought into parametric resonance. Here we demonstrate parametric resonance of suspended single-layer graphene...

journal article 2018

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Massively parallel fabrication of crack-defined gold break junctions featuring sub-3 nm gaps for molecular devices

Dubois, Valentin (author), Raja, Shyamprasad N. (author), Gehring, P. (author), Caneva, S. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Niklaus, Frank (author), Stemme, Göran (author)

Break junctions provide tip-shaped contact electrodes that are fundamental components of nano and molecular electronics. However, the fabrication of break junctions remains notoriously time-consuming and difficult to parallelize. Here we demonstrate true parallel fabrication of gold break junctions featuring sub-3 nm gaps on the wafer-scale,...

journal article 2018

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Transient thermal characterization of suspended monolayer MoS2

Dolleman, R.J. (author), Lloyd, David (author), Lee, M. (author), Scott Bunch, J. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author)

We measure the thermal time constants of suspended single-layer molybdenum disulfide drums by their thermomechanical response to a high-frequency modulated laser. From this measurement, the thermal diffusivity of single-layer MoS2 is found to be 1.14×10-5m2/s on average. Using a model for the thermal time constants and a model assuming...

journal article 2018

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Graphene mechanical pixels for Interferometric Modulator Displays

Cartamil-Bueno, Santiago J. (author), Davidovikj, D. (author), Centeno, Alba (author), Zurutuza, Amaia (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author), Steeneken, P.G. (author), Houri, S. (author)

Electro-optic modulators based on micro-electromechanical systems have found success as elements for optical projectors, for simplified optical spectrometers, and as reflective-type screens that make use of light interference (Interferometric Modulator Display technology). The latter concept offers an exciting avenue for graphene...

journal article 2018

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Mechanically controlled quantum interference in graphene break junctions

Caneva, S. (author), Gehring, P. (author), García-Suárez, Víctor M. (author), García-Fuente, Amador (author), Stefani, D. (author), Olavarria Contreras, I.J. (author), Ferrer, Jaime (author), Dekker, C. (author), van der Zant, H.S.J. (author)

The ability to detect and distinguish quantum interference signatures is important for both fundamental research and for the realization of devices such as electron resonators¹, interferometers² and interference-based spin filters³. Consistent with the principles of subwavelength optics, the wave nature of...

journal article 2018