Controlling and videotaping single-molecule dynamics with atomically confined terahertz transients

C. Roelcke; L. Z. Kastner; D. Peller; Y. A. Gerasimenko; J. Repp; R. Huber

doi:10.1117/12.2679989

4 October 2023 Controlling and videotaping single-molecule dynamics with atomically confined terahertz transients

C. Roelcke, L. Z. Kastner, D. Peller, Y. A. Gerasimenko, J. Repp, R. Huber

Proceedings Volume 12683, Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications XIV; 1268306 (2023) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2679989
Event: SPIE Optical Engineering + Applications, 2023, San Diego, California, United States

Abstract

Using a single-molecule switch, we study atom-scale light-matter interaction. First, we utilize atomically confined terahertz transients to measure and control molecular motion in real space. Based on atomically precise lightwave-driven scanning tunneling microscopy (STM), we unravel how light pulses can act as sub-picosecond atomic forces on key atoms of a molecular switch to coherently steer structural dynamics. This allows us to control a frustrated structural rotation that modulates the molecule’s switching probability. Second, we investigate near-field waveforms on extremely sub-wavelength volumes. As atomic light-matter interaction crucially depends on both the temporal evolution and the absolute strength of local fields, a parameter-free method to directly measure and calibrate atom-scale waveforms has been highly desirable. Calibrating the electric near field with a single-molecule switch, we quantitatively measure the temporal shape and amplitude of atomically confined light-field transients inside the tunneling gap of the scanning tunneling microscope.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

C. Roelcke, L. Z. Kastner, D. Peller, Y. A. Gerasimenko, J. Repp, and R. Huber "Controlling and videotaping single-molecule dynamics with atomically confined terahertz transients", Proc. SPIE 12683, Terahertz Emitters, Receivers, and Applications XIV, 1268306 (4 October 2023); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2679989

ACCESS THE FULL ARTICLE

INSTITUTIONAL
Select your institution to access the SPIE Digital Library.

SELECT YOUR INSTITUTION

PERSONAL
Sign in with your SPIE account to access your personal subscriptions or to use specific features such as save to my library, sign up for alerts, save searches, etc.

PERSONAL SIGN IN

No SPIE Account? Create one

PURCHASE THIS CONTENT

SUBSCRIBE TO DIGITAL LIBRARY

50 downloads per 1-year subscription

Members: $195

Non-members: $335 ADD TO CART

25 downloads per 1 - year subscription

Members: $145

Non-members: $250 ADD TO CART

PURCHASE SINGLE ARTICLE

Includes PDF, HTML & Video, when available