An atomic switch realized with the scanning tunnelling microscope
Abstract
An account is given of the operation of a bistable switch that derives its function from the motion of a single Xe atom that is moved reversibly between stable positions on each of two stationary conducting 'leads'; these leads correspond to the tip of an STM and a Ni surface. The state of the switch is set through the application of a voltage pulse of the appropriate sign across the leads, and is identified by measuring conductance across the leads. The switch is seen as prototypic of a novel class of potentially very small electronic devises, 'atom switches'.
- Publication:
-
Nature
- Pub Date:
- August 1991
- DOI:
- 10.1038/352600a0
- Bibcode:
- 1991Natur.352..600E
- Keywords:
-
- Atomic Interactions;
- Metal Surfaces;
- Scanning Tunneling Microscopy;
- Tunnel Diodes;
- Xenon;
- High Voltages;
- Nickel;
- Electronics and Electrical Engineering