Robust spin crossover and memristance acrossa single molecule

摘要

A nanoscale molecular switch can be used to store information in a single molecule. Althoughthe switching process can be detected electrically in the form of a change in the molecule′sconductance, adding spin functionality to molecular switches is a key concept for realizingmolecular spintronic devices. Here we show that iron-based spin-crossover molecules canbe individually and reproducibly switched between a combined high-spin, high-conductionstate and a low-spin, low-conduction state, provided the individual molecule is decoupledfrom a metallic substrate by a thin insulating layer. These results represent a step to achievingcombined spin and conduction switching functionality on the level of individual molecules.