Quantum transport through single molecules is very sensitive to the strength of the molecule-electrode contact. Here, we investigate the behavior of a model molecular junction weakly coupled to external electrodes in the case where charging effects do play an important role (Coulomb blockade regime). As a minimal model, we consider a molecular junction with two spatially separated donor and acceptor sites. Depending on their mutual coupling to the electrodes, the resulting transport observables show well defined features such as rectification effects in the I-V characteristics and nesting of the stability diagrams. To be able to accomplish these results, we have developed a theory which allows to explore the charging regime via the non-equilibrium Green function formalism parallel to the widely used master equation technique. Our results, beyond their experimental relevance, offer a transparent framework for the systematic and modular inclusion of a richer physical phenomenology.
Recent experimental and theoretical advances have led to greatly increased interest in quantum impurity physics. Remarkable progress has been made, particularly in the realization of quantum impurity physics in nano-devices such as semiconductor quantum dots and molecular systems, culminating in the observation of Kondo effects in several single-molecule and single-atom transistors. These exciting new developments will be the focus of our seminar and workshop at which we shall cover the following topics:
Quantum transport through single molecules is very sensitive to the strength of the molecule-electrode contact. Here, we investigate the behavior of a model molecular junction weakly coupled to external electrodes in the case where charging effects do play an important role (Coulomb blockade regime). As a minimal model, we consider a molecular junction with two spatially separated donor and acceptor sites. Depending on their mutual coupling to the electrodes, the resulting transport observables show well defined features such as rectification effects in the I-V characteristics and nesting of the stability diagrams. To be able to accomplish these results, we have developed a theory which allows to explore the charging regime via the non-equilibrium Green function formalism parallel to the widely used master equation technique. Our results, beyond their experimental relevance, offer a transparent framework for the systematic and modular inclusion of a richer physical phenomenology.
Recent experimental and theoretical advances have led to greatly increased interest in quantum impurity physics. Remarkable progress has been made, particularly in the realization of quantum impurity physics in nano-devices such as semiconductor quantum dots and molecular systems, culminating in the observation of Kondo effects in several single-molecule and single-atom transistors. These exciting new developments will be the focus of our seminar and workshop at which we shall cover the following topics: