Dynamic Jahn-Teller effect in electronic transport through single C 60 molecules

Abstract

Low-temperature scanning tunneling spectroscopy and first-principles calculations are used to characterize electron transport through vibronic states of C60 molecules. This is achieved by positioning a C60 molecule on top of a molecular self-assembled template on Au(111). In these conditions, conductance spectra are shown to reveal the dynamic Jahn-Teller effect of the C60 molecule. This vibronic transport study helps in solving a long-standing debate on density-functional calculations of the C60 electron-phonon coupling strength. © 2008 The American Physical Society.