Novel quantum interference effects in transport through molecular radicals

Nano Lett. 2011 Jul 13;11(7):2759-64. doi: 10.1021/nl201042m. Epub 2011 Jun 10.

Abstract

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.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Electron Transport
  • Free Radicals / chemistry
  • Gold / chemistry*
  • Nanotechnology
  • Particle Size
  • Quantum Theory*
  • Surface Properties
  • Toluene / analogs & derivatives*
  • Toluene / chemistry

Substances

  • Free Radicals
  • Toluene
  • Gold
  • dithiol