Single-molecule motion control
arxiv(2023)
Abstract
Achieving dynamic manipulation and control of single molecules at high
spatio-temporal resolution is pivotal for advancing atomic-scale computing and
nanorobotics. However, this endeavour is critically challenged by complex
nature of atomic and molecular interactions, high-dimensional characteristics
of nanoscale systems, and scarcity of experimental data. Here, we present a toy
model for controlling single-molecule diffusion by harnessing electrostatic
forces arising from elementary surface charges within a lattice structure,
mimicking embedded charges on a surface. We investigate the interplay between
quantum mechanics and electrostatic interactions in single molecule diffusion
processes using a combination of state-dependent diffusion equations and
Green's functions. We find that surface charge density critically influences
diffusion coefficients, exhibiting linear scaling akin to Coulombic forces. We
achieve accurate predictions of experimental diffusion constants and extending
the observed range to values reaching up to 6000 μm^2ms^-1
and 80000 μm^2ms^-1. The molecular trajectories predicted
by our model bear resemblance to planetary motion, particularly in their
gravity-assisted acceleration-like behaviour. It holds transformative
implications for nanorobotics, motion control at the nanoscale, and computing
applications, particularly in the areas of molecular and quantum computing
where the trapping of atoms and molecules is essential. Beyond the
state-of-the-art optical lattice and scanning tunnelling microscopy for
atomic/molecular manipulation, our findings give unambiguous advantage of
precise control over single-molecule dynamics through quantum manipulation at
the angstrom scale.
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