Patterning molecular scale paramagnets at Au surfaces: a root to magneto-molecular-electronics

Few examples of the exploitation of molecular magnetic properties in molecular electronics are known to date. Here, we propose the realization of self assembled monolayers (SAM) of a particular stable organic radical. This radical is meant to be used as a standard molecule on which to prove the validity of a single spin reading procedure known as ESR-STM. We demonstrate here that the radical is chemically anchored at the surface, preserves its magnetic functionality and can be imaged by STM. STM and ESR investigations of the molecular film are reported. We also discuss a range of possible applications, further than ESR-STM, of magnetic monolayers of simple purely organic magnetic molecules.