Atomically precise control of rotational dynamics in charged rare-earth complexes on a metal surface

Rare-earth elements are vital to advanced technological applications ranging from spintronic devices to quantum information science. Here, the authors formed charged rare-earth complexes on a material surface and demonstrated atomically precise control on their rotational dynamics. Complexes containing rare-earth ions attract great attention for their technological applications ranging from spintronic devices to quantum information science. While charged rare-earth coordination complexes are ubiquitous in solution, they are challenging to form on materials surfaces that would allow investigations for potential solid-state applications. Here we report formation and atomically precise manipulation of rare-earth complexes on a gold surface. Although they are composed of multiple units held together by electrostatic interactions, the entire complex rotates as a single unit when electrical energy is supplied from a scanning tunneling microscope tip. Despite the hexagonal symmetry of the gold surface, a counterion at the side of the complex guides precise three-fold rotations and 100% control of their rotational directions is achieved using a negative electric field from the scanning probe tip. This work demonstrates that counterions can be used to control dynamics of rare-earth complexes on materials surfaces for quantum and nanomechanical applications.

Automated summary

Rare-earth complexes were formed and atomically controlled on a gold surface, allowing for precise manipulation of their rotational dynamics. This work opens up new possibilities for quantum and nanomechanical applications.