The top-metal/molecular-monolayer interface is of critical importance in the formation of molecular electronic (ME) devices and test structures. I will discuss two experimental studies of ME devices in which the final device performance can be attributed to top-metal/molecule interactions: molecule independent switching in Al/AlOx/Molecule/Ti junctions, and a novel backside FTIR technique that enables the properties of molecular monolayers to be investigated after they have been fully coated with a thick top-metal. Organic conductors hold the promise of alleviating some of issues associated with traditional top-metal contacts. Results for organic contacts in nanostructures will also be shown.
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