Molecular rotor arrays and signal propagation

ORGN 254

Mark A. Ratner, ratner@chem.northwestern.edu and Jeroen de Jonge. Department of Chemistry and Center for Nanotechnology, Northwestern University, 2145 Sheridan Rd., Evanston, IL 60208-3113
Molecules anchored to surfaces can act as rotors, moving either in the plane parallel or perpendicular to the surface. If the rotors are placed in arrays, their interactions can result in normal coordinates for the rotor array (at low energies) or as signal propagation or modulation structures at higher energies. We discuss the nature of the modes, the propagation of signals, and issues of signal dispersion, control and fan-out. In two-dimensional arrays, complex patterns of stability can arise from frustration issues, involving the conflicting stability criteria of bulk and surface dipoles.