Detection of Molecular Switching in Single Monolayers by Maxwell-Displacement-Current-Measuring Technique

Molecular switching in mixed monolayer surface was investigated by means of Maxwell-displacement-current measurement. The condensation of pure azobenzene monolayers was loosened by the introduction of phospholipids into the monolayers, and the molecular aggregation in pure azobenzene monolayers was also weakened. As a result, transient displacement-current pulses were generated across the mixed monolayers in the entire range of molecular area due to the photoisomerization of azobenzene by alternating irradiation of ultraviolet and visible light.