Nanomechanical electron shuttle consisting of a gold nanoparticle embedded within the gap between two gold electrodes

Nanomechanical shuttles transferring electrons from one electrode to another, in groups or individually, offer a solution to the problem of controlled charge transport. We report the fabrication of shuttle junctions consisting of a gold nanoparticle embedded within the gap between two gold electrodes and attached to them through a monolayer of molecular springs. When a voltage bias is applied, the nanoparticle starts to oscillate, transferring electrons from one electrode to the other. Measured I-V characteristics have been compared with the results of computer simulations.