FUNDAMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS IN THE MANIPULATION OF A SINGLE C-60 MOLECULE ON A SURFACE WITH AN STM

We discuss the conditions needed to perform mechanics on the nanoscale . Various modes for adsorbates manipulation using a scanning tunnellin g microscope (STM) are presented. Amongst those, which include sliding , pulling and pushing, we find that molecules such as fullerene C-60 a re repositionable by pushing. This mechanism is modelled using molecul ar mechanics calculations, which provide the threshold STM tunnel junc tion resistance necessary to translate C-60 parallel and perpendicular to a step edge on a Cu(100) surface. Perpendicular translation provid es the opportunity for more complex mechanics on the nanoscale such as the control of the kinetic energy of a single adsorbate. (C) 1997 Els evier Science B.V.