Displacement Current Generated by Photo-Induced Molecular Switching in a Single Monolayer

Abstract

The optical molecular switching in single monolayers containing azobenzene derivatives deposited on solid substrates due to photo-induced cis-trans isomerization was detected by using a displacement current-measuring technique. The reversible displacement current generation was found to be sustained by the alternative applications of UV light and visible light, whereas the current generation was never initiated by the successive irradiation of UV or visible light. Finally, we concluded that the technique developed here will be used in future molecular electronic technologies.