Structural transition in organic thin films for nanometer scale data recording

Nanometer scale data recording has been achieved on p-nitrobenzonitrile thi n films using scanning tunneling microscopy. When a series of voltage pulse is applied between the STM tip and the highly ordered pyrolytic graphite s ubstrate, structural transition at molecular scale has been observed direct ly for PNBN thin films. The recording mechanism is attributed to local stru ctural transition at molecular scale, i.e., from a crystalline state to a d isordered one. The former corresponds to a high electrical resistance,and t he latter to a low resistance.