How does a molecule vibrate when you “touch” it?
The probe tip of a scanning probe microscope alters the vibrational frequency of the molecule and allows to determine the strength of the bonds. © Norio Okabayashi – only to be used for this press release.
The CO molecule bonds with the carbon atom to the copper underneath and stands upright on the surface such that the oxygen atom points away from the surface.
The CO molecule can oscillate just like an inverted pendulum. The vibration of a molecule on a surface contains critical information on the bond of the molecule with the surface, which is crucial for understanding surface phenomena and for technologically important processes such as catalysis and epitaxial growth.
As expected, the force that originates from the probe tip (pointed object from above in Figure) changes the vibrational frequencies – attractive forces increase the oscillation frequency, and repulsive interactions decrease the oscillation frequency.
The data revealed that the strength of the bond between carbon monoxide and copper was decreasing as the probe tip pulled the molecule away from the surface, marking the direct observation of the weakening of a single atomic bond by an external influence. The result is important as chemical reactions often evolve by loosening an existing bond before forming a new one.
The result of the research has been reported in “Vibrations of a molecule in an external force field” by N. Okabayashi, A. Peronio, M. Paulsson, T. Arai and F. J. Giessibl in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, April xx, 2018, www.pnas.org
Media Contact
All latest news from the category: Physics and Astronomy
This area deals with the fundamental laws and building blocks of nature and how they interact, the properties and the behavior of matter, and research into space and time and their structures.
innovations-report provides in-depth reports and articles on subjects such as astrophysics, laser technologies, nuclear, quantum, particle and solid-state physics, nanotechnologies, planetary research and findings (Mars, Venus) and developments related to the Hubble Telescope.
Newest articles
Properties of new materials for microchips
… can now be measured well. Reseachers of Delft University of Technology demonstrated measuring performance properties of ultrathin silicon membranes. Making ever smaller and more powerful chips requires new ultrathin…
Floating solar’s potential
… to support sustainable development by addressing climate, water, and energy goals holistically. A new study published this week in Nature Energy raises the potential for floating solar photovoltaics (FPV)…
Skyrmions move at record speeds
… a step towards the computing of the future. An international research team led by scientists from the CNRS1 has discovered that the magnetic nanobubbles2 known as skyrmions can be…
