Local Field Controlled Switching in a One-Dimensional Dipolar Array

Abstract

We use computational Langevin dynamics simulations to show that the orientation of the dipolar rotors in a one-dimensional chain can be controlled using a local field. Flipping the direction of the field initiates a process in which each of the chain dipoles may switch its orientation. We define the conditions for which the dipole chain remains in one of its two stable orientations. We observe the switching mechanism between these two stable orientations using a local electric field generated by a fixed control dipole, and the effectiveness of the switching process as a function of temperature, rotational friction coefficient, length of the array, and magnitude of the control dipole. We show two examples of curved chains where this process is possible as well. We model molecular dipolar rotors as point dipoles and show that we can transfer a signal along a one-dimensional chain. The propagated signal is not a photon, phonon, or charge, but is rather mechanical. One could argue that this is the smallest array of mechanical gears.

Out-of-equilibrium one-dimensional disordered dipole chain

“…The understanding of out-of-equilibrium low-dimensional systems has been a challenging problem for decades. This topic covers a large variety of important problems of modern physics concerning, for example, the necessary conditions for the observation of the Fourier law [1][2][3][4]; how to achieve and manipulate directed transport in systems with Brownian motion [5,6]; how to gain a useful work in nonequilibrium [5,7]; how to control the energy transport in one-and two-dimensional assemblies of large organic molecules with high dipole moment arranged on a surface [8][9][10]; the mechanism of the transition to chaos in nonlinear chains [11]; the necessary conditions for the occurrence and existence of the temporally periodic and spatially localized excitations in nonlinear chains [12]; the unique steady state's existence in nonlinear chains [13]. Nonequilibrium processes in low-dimensional systems are also of practical and technological interest because of the recent advances in nanofabrication.…”

Dynamics in Self-assembled Organic Monolayers at the Liquid/Solid Interface Revealed by Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

“…Sometimes, these dynamics were intentionally provoked by the interaction with the STM-tip. [32][33][34][35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42] Compared to molecular systems adsorbed under UHV conditions, an extra hurdle in probing dynamics in physisorbed self-assembled monolayers at a liquid/solid interface is the fact that molecules are part of a monolayer and often packed in a 2D-lattice. The observation of molecular dynamics at the single molecule level using STM at liquid/solid interfaces imposes a number of challenges.…”

Signal transmission, conversion and multiplication by polar molecules confined in nanochannels

“…31,32 Recently, the behaviour of onedimensional dipole chains has been discussed, including the energy transfer in a dipole chain, 33 the design of a logical AND port using dipole chains with a junction, 34 and the initiation of the orientation of one-dimensional dipole chains by a local field. 35 The water molecules confined in nanochannels with suitable radii, in which the water molecules form one-dimensional chains, provide an excellent example for the transmission of signals due to water dipole interactions. The water molecules display ''concerted'' orientations (water dipoles ordered cooperatively inside the carbon nanotube) [36][37][38][39][40][41] as in the example shown in Fig.…”