Orbital-Resolved Stepwise Single-Electron Capture Dynamics in a Single Fullerene

Fullerenes (C60), characterized by their unique cage-like structure and strong electron-accepting properties, have found extensive applications in organic electronics, photovoltaics, and photocatalysis. At the same time, they are gaining more attention in emerging fields, such as spintronics and quantum technologies. However, precise manipulation of the electron behavior within C60, particularly the capture of varying numbers of electrons by an individual C60 molecule, remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we realize the accurate monitoring of the sequential single-electron capture process of a single C60 molecule bound between graphene electrodes. Real-time current measurements reveal four distinct charge states with specific Frontier orbitals under cryogenic conditions (2 K), corresponding to the capture of 0, 1, 2, and 3 electrons. Theoretical calculations suggest that the ability of C60 to accept multiple electrons originates from the coupling between molecular vibrations and transported electrons. Furthermore, the effect of the electric field on the local density of states highlights its crucial role in the precise control of electron capture on a single C60. These findings provide useful insights into the dynamic evolution of stepwise electron capture in fullerene and demonstrate the potential of fullerene-based materials in molecular electronics and quantum technologies.