Nanoscale switch elements from self-assembled monolayers on silver

Au/molecule/Ag junctions are shown to behave as voltage-controlled two-state switches. In the open state, the current-voltage behavior is consistent with a metal-molecule-metal tunnel junction. At a negative bias threshold, silver filaments bridge the gap between the two electrodes, resulting in direct metal-metal contact and an increase in current of several orders of magnitude. Under positive bias, the filaments dissolve, returning the switch to an open state. Switching rates of up to ≈10kHz have been observed. Because the only required components are silver and a self-assembled monolayer, this switch element can be incorporated into a wide array of device architectures.