Final published version
Research output: Contribution to Journal/Magazine › Journal article › peer-review
Article number | 136101 |
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<mark>Journal publication date</mark> | 28/03/2011 |
<mark>Journal</mark> | Physical review letters |
Issue number | 13 |
Volume | 106 |
Number of pages | 4 |
Publication Status | Published |
<mark>Original language</mark> | English |
We reversibly switch the state of a bistable atom by direct mechanical manipulation of bond angle using a dynamic force microscope. Individual buckled dimers at the Si(100) surface are flipped via the formation of a single covalent bond, actuating the smallest conceivable in-plane toggle switch (two atoms) via chemical force alone. The response of a given dimer to a flip event depends critically on both the local and nonlocal environment of the target atom-an important consideration for future atomic scale fabrication strategies.