Phys.org March 24, 2020
Polyacetylene molecular wires have attracted a long-standing interest for the past 40 years. Because of recent experimental developments, individual polyacetylene chains can now be synthesized on substrates. An international team of researchers (Germany, USA – Columbia University) proposes a novel way for chemically supported soliton design in these systems. They have demonstrated how to control the soliton position and how to read it out via external means and show how extra soliton–antisoliton pairs arise when applying a moderate static electric field. The research is a step toward functionality of electronic devices based on soliton manipulation…read more. TECHNICAL ARTICLE
Corresponding Kohn−Sham orbital that forms the topologically protected domain-wall state in a wire (top) and the resonant configuration for an uncharged neutral molecule (bottom). Credit: Nano Letters