Nanoscale switch elements from self-assembled monolayers on silver

Au/molecule/Ag junctions are shown to behave as voltage-controlled two-state switches. In the open state, the current-voltage behavior is consistent with a metal-molecule-metal tunnel junction. At a negative bias threshold, silver filaments bridge the gap between the two electrodes, resulting in direct metal-metal contact and an increase in current of several orders of magnitude. Under positive bias, the filaments dissolve, returning the switch to an open state. Switching rates of up to approximate to 10 kHz have been observed. Because the only required components are silver and a self-assembled monolayer, this switch element can be incorporated into a wide array of device architectures. (c) 2007 American Institute of Physics.