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Quantum interference-induced conductance variation in mechanosensitive single-molecule junction

Poster (2019)
Author(s)

C. Hsu (TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)

D. Stefani (TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab, Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft)

Kevin J. Weiland (University of Basel)

Maxim Skripnik (Universität Konstanz)

M.L. Perrin (Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa), TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab)

Marcel Mayor (University of Basel)

Fabian Pauly (Universität Konstanz)

H.S.J. van der Zant (Kavli institute of nanoscience Delft, TU Delft - QN/van der Zant Lab)

Research Group
QN/van der Zant Lab
More Info
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Publication Year
2019
Language
English
Research Group
QN/van der Zant Lab
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Abstract

A great interest of molecular electronics comes from its change in electronic structure through external stimuli, which provides functionality at the single-molecule level. Mechanically-controlled break junction (MCBJ) is a great tool for characterizing molecular properties and their response to different stimuli including light, solvent and importantly, mechanical deformation1. In our recent MCBJ experiment, we showed that the conductance of a spring-like molecule can be mechanically tuned up to an order of magnitude at room temperature2. The physical origin of such feature is a consequence of destructive quantum interference between the frontier orbitals. This indicates not only a possible application for mechanical sensors based on this class of molecules, but also demonstrates a good example of quantum interference effect in single molecules. Following this intriguing result, we investigate other properties of this molecule, such as I-V characteristics at low temperature and thermopower. We are also exploring other molecules with similar spring-like structures, where quantum interference effect is expected to manifest.