Controlled lateral manipulation of single molecules with the scanning tunneling microscope

We report on the first successful lateral manipulation of molecules and controlled formation of nanostructures with the Scanning Tunneling Microscope (STM) at temperatures above 4 K as used by Eigler and collaborators. Among the first structures, we built the letters F and U forming the logo of our university at 30 K with CO molecules on a Cu(211) substrate. Our method to manipulate the molecules is analogous to that employed successfully up to now only by Eigler and co-workers. First experiences concerning the manipulation of the CO molecules on the highly anisotropic substrate are presented and the crucial role of the tip composition in imaging the CO molecules is demonstrated.