Nanometer-scale fabrication and data storage on charge transfer complex TEA(TCNQ)2 single crystal

Nanometer-scale holes and words were reproducibly created on a typical organic charge transfer compound, Triethylammonium Bis-7,7,8,8-tetracyanoquinodimethanide (TEA(TCNQ)(2)) single crystal, using scanning tunneling microscope in ambient conditions by applying a pulse voltage across the tunneling gap, The decomposition products of TEA(TCNQ)(2) single crystal were investigated with mass spectroscopy by applying a pulse to the crystal in a vacuum tube. TEA was the sole product being detected. A micro-Raman Spectroscopy was used to fabricate and characterize the sample using a He-Ne laser. A dots array was written by a focused beam and in situ Raman spectra showed the sample was decomposited. The most possible mechanism of holes formation appears to be TEA(TCNQ)(2) decomposition and TEA evaporation by heating effect of STM current. Comparing data storage in TEA(TCNQ)(2) single crystal with a market-sell CD-R disk, the writing threshold value of TEA(TCNQ)(2) is much smaller that of the CD-R disk. This kind of organic conductor may be a promising material for the STM-based high density storage and popular optical storage techniques.