Radio-frequency excitation of single molecules by scanning tunnelling microscopy

We have upgraded a low-temperature scanning tunnelling microscope (STM) with a radio-frequency (RF) modulation system to extend STM spectroscopy to the range of low energy excitations ( <1 meV). We studied single molecules of a stable hydrocarbon pi-radical weakly physisorbed on Au(111). At 5 K thermal excitation of the adsorbed molecules is inhibited due to the lack of short-wavelength phonons of the substrate. We demonstrate resonant excitation of mechanical modes of single molecules by RF tunnelling at 115 MHz, which induces structural changes in the molecule ranging from controlled diffusion and modification of bond angles to bond breaking as the ultimate climax (resonance catastrophe). Our results pave the way towards RF-STM-based spectroscopy and controlled manipulation of molecular nanostructures on a surface.