Modeling molecular junctions: Pitfalls and caveats in understanding quantum transport at the molecular scale (invited talk)


4th HANDAI Nano-Science Symposium | event contribution
Sept. 29, 2008 - Oct. 1, 2008 | Osaka, Japan

Since few years, several quantum transport experiments employing unimolecular systems have been proven. Some of related emerging phenomena, however, are still missing sound theoretical explanations. Principal limitations include the nature of the molecule-to-electrode contacts as well as the commonly used `static' and single particle description of molecular bridges. Molecules, indeed, are correlated flexible objects and indeed their mechanical degrees of freedom play in general a fundamental role in charge transfer as well as transport mechanisms. In this talk, I will give an overview on the role of contacts, charging, vibrations and inelastic transport in molecular systems, and show how such phenomena do dramatically affect the overall conduction properties of STM-based molecular junctions.


Authors

Modeling molecular junctions: Pitfalls and caveats in understanding quantum transport at the molecular scale (invited talk)


4th HANDAI Nano-Science Symposium | event contribution
Sept. 29, 2008 - Oct. 1, 2008 | Osaka, Japan

Since few years, several quantum transport experiments employing unimolecular systems have been proven. Some of related emerging phenomena, however, are still missing sound theoretical explanations. Principal limitations include the nature of the molecule-to-electrode contacts as well as the commonly used `static' and single particle description of molecular bridges. Molecules, indeed, are correlated flexible objects and indeed their mechanical degrees of freedom play in general a fundamental role in charge transfer as well as transport mechanisms. In this talk, I will give an overview on the role of contacts, charging, vibrations and inelastic transport in molecular systems, and show how such phenomena do dramatically affect the overall conduction properties of STM-based molecular junctions.


Authors