Controlled spin switching in a metallocene molecular junction

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-02151-6
• Publication Date: 2017-12-01T12:37:10Z
• Authors: M. Ormaza; P. Abufager; B. Verlhac; N. Bachellier; M.-L. Bocquet; N. Lorente; L. Limot
• Keywords: Spin states; Molecular switch

The active control of a molecular spin represents one the main challenges in spintronics. Up to now manipulation has been achieved through modification structure either by chemical doping or external stimuli. However, molecule adsorbed on surface depends primarily interaction between its localized orbitals and electronic states substrate. Here we change effective single modifying molecule/metal interface controlled way using low-temperature scanning tunneling microscope. A nickelocene reversibly switches from 1 1/2 when varying electrode-electrode distance tunnel contact regime. This switching is experimentally evidenced inelastic elastic spin-flip mechanisms observed reproducible conductance measurements understood first principle calculations. Our work demonstrates over state devices manipulation.