Scientists Achieve Unprecedented 80 Nano-Electron Volt Resolution in Single Molecule Spectroscopy

A research team led by Yury Suleymanov has achieved a major breakthrough in single molecule spectroscopy. They have reached a spectral resolution of 80 nano-electron volts on a surface. This advancement allows precise studies of molecular interactions at the nanoscale. The team used an innovative approach to surface preparation. They sublimated organic crystals and deposited them onto freshly prepared surfaces in situ. This method ensured a delicate balance of surface conditions, deposition parameters, and low-temperature operation.

The process produced stable, narrow optical transitions. These enabled detailed characterisation of single dibenzoterrylene molecules physisorbed on an anthracene surface. The result was Fourier-limited transitions, where the spectral linewidth matched the molecule’s excited state lifetime exactly.

Understanding optical dephasing mechanisms was central to the work. The technique isolated the intrinsic properties of molecules adsorbed on surfaces, removing external interference. The method resolves electronic transitions with unprecedented precision. It opens new possibilities for studying molecular behaviour at the smallest scales. The findings provide a foundation for further advancements in nanoscale spectroscopy.