In the research presented in this thesis, the effects of humidity on a series of Ru-complex molecular layers is investigated with the Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy technique. One specific... Show moreIn the research presented in this thesis, the effects of humidity on a series of Ru-complex molecular layers is investigated with the Conductive Atomic Force Microscopy technique. One specific molecule out of this series called '2-Ru-N' shows remarkable humidity sensitive diode behavior: in low humidity it behaves as a conventional resistive tunneling junction, wheras in high humidity, it behaves as a diode. The rectification ratios found for 2-Ru-N are among the highest reported for molecular junctions in the literature. By comparing the behavior of 2-Ru-N with its other counterparts, a model is presented that is based on two localized molecular orbitals that are misaligned during the addition of water. This is due to the water pulling on the counter-ions that are found in the molecular layer and hence, effectively gate one of the two localized molecular orbitals, resulting in a misalignment and thus, a diode-like behavior. Show less
In this Thesis, novel charge induction mechanisms of ionic liquids are treated, tested and experimented on complex oxides, in particular cuprates. We show that it is possible to traverse the phase... Show moreIn this Thesis, novel charge induction mechanisms of ionic liquids are treated, tested and experimented on complex oxides, in particular cuprates. We show that it is possible to traverse the phase diagram of a cuprate, albeit electrochemically. This is in turn has been used in combination with advanced lithogragphic techniques to attempt to fabricate an in-plane Josephson junction. We point out that a long-range proximity effect is observed in a number of junctions. Possible connections to the Giant Proximity Effect are evaluated in the final chapter of the Thesis. Show less
