Molecular system and method for reversibly switching the same between four states
First Claim
1. A molecular system that is reversibly switchable between four states, the molecular system comprising:
- at least two ends;
at least three rotors located between the at least two ends, each of the at least three rotors capable of rotating when under the influence of an electric field having a predetermined strength, the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating one of the at least three rotors being different than that of the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating each of an other of the at least three rotors;
at least two stators located between the at least two ends; and
at least one conjugated connecting unit linking at least one of the at least three rotors and at least one of the at least two stators;
wherein rotation of at least one of the at least three rotors switches the molecular system to one of the four states.
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Abstract
A molecular system that is reversibly switchable between four states includes two or more ends. At least three rotors and at least two stators are located between the ends. Each of the rotors is capable of rotating when under the influence of an electric field having a predetermined strength. The predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating one of the rotors is different than that of the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating each of the other rotors. One or more conjugated connecting units links at least one of the at least three rotors and at least one of the at least two stators. The rotation of at least one of the at least three rotors switches the molecular system to one of the four states.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A molecular system that is reversibly switchable between four states, the molecular system comprising:
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at least two ends;
at least three rotors located between the at least two ends, each of the at least three rotors capable of rotating when under the influence of an electric field having a predetermined strength, the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating one of the at least three rotors being different than that of the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating each of an other of the at least three rotors;
at least two stators located between the at least two ends; and
at least one conjugated connecting unit linking at least one of the at least three rotors and at least one of the at least two stators;
wherein rotation of at least one of the at least three rotors switches the molecular system to one of the four states. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method for reversibly switching a molecular system between four states, the method comprising:
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subjecting the molecular system to an electric field having a first predetermined strength, thereby rotating one of at least three rotors in the molecular system such that the one of the at least three rotors is non-planar with at least two stators in the molecular system, and switching the molecular system from a first state to a second state;
subjecting the molecular system to an electric field having a second predetermined strength, thereby rotating a second of the at least three rotors such that the second of the at least three rotors is non-planar with the at least two stators, and switching the molecular system from the second state to a third state; and
subjecting the molecular system to an electric field having a third predetermined strength, thereby rotating a third of the at least three rotors such that the third of the at least three rotors is non-planar with the at least two stators, and switching the molecular system from the third state to a fourth state. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A molecular switching device, comprising:
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at least one bottom electrode;
at least one top electrode, the top electrode crossing the bottom electrode at a non-zero angle, thereby forming a junction; and
a molecular system operatively disposed in the junction, the molecular system including;
at least two ends;
at least three rotors located between the at least two ends, each of the at least three rotors capable of rotating when subjected to an electric field having a predetermined strength, the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating one of the at least three rotors being different than that of the predetermined strength of the electric field for rotating each of an other of the at least three rotors;
at least two stators located between the at least two ends; and
at least one conjugated connecting unit linking at least one of the at least three rotors and at least one of the at least two stators;
wherein rotation of at least one of the at least three rotors switches the molecular system to one of four states. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19, 20)
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Specification