Novel Quantum Interference Effects in Transport through Molecular Radicals

TY - JOUR

T1 - Novel Quantum Interference Effects in Transport through Molecular Radicals

AU - Bergfield, J. P.

AU - Solomon, Gemma Clare

AU - Stafford, C. A.

AU - Ratner, M. A.

PY - 2011/7/13

Y1 - 2011/7/13

N2 - We investigate electronic transport through molecular radicals and predict a correlation-induced transmission node arising from destructive interference between transport contributions from different charge states of the molecule. This quantum interference effect has no single-particle analog and cannot be described by effective single-particle theories. Large errors in the thermoelectric properties and nonlinear current-voltage response of molecular radical junctions are introduced when the complementary wave and particle aspects of the electron are not properly treated. A method to accurately calculate the low-energy transport through a radical-based junction using an Anderson model is given.

AB - We investigate electronic transport through molecular radicals and predict a correlation-induced transmission node arising from destructive interference between transport contributions from different charge states of the molecule. This quantum interference effect has no single-particle analog and cannot be described by effective single-particle theories. Large errors in the thermoelectric properties and nonlinear current-voltage response of molecular radical junctions are introduced when the complementary wave and particle aspects of the electron are not properly treated. A method to accurately calculate the low-energy transport through a radical-based junction using an Anderson model is given.

M3 - Journal article

SN - 1530-6984

VL - 11

SP - 2759

EP - 2764

JO - Nano Letters

JF - Nano Letters

IS - 7

ER -