Torque-Induced Change in Configuration of a Single NO Molecule on Cu(110)

We demonstrated that a nitric oxide (NO) molecule on Cu(110) acts as an ON-OFF-ON toggle switch that can be turned on and off by repulsive force and electron injection, respectively. On the surface, NO molecules exist in three configurations: flat along the [001] direction (ON), upright (OFF), and flat along [00 (1) over bar] (ON). An NO-functionalized tip, which was characterized by scanning tunneling microscopy and inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy, can convert an upright NO adsorbate into a flat-lying NO. Atomic force microscopy and a simulation of the interactions between the NO molecules reveal that a repulsive force not aligned with the N-O bond provides the torque that detrudes the NO toggle; i.e., the upright NO adsorbate is tilted away from the tip. Therefore, the NO adsorbate behaves as a nonvolatile sensor for the detection of locally applied repulsive torque.