Molecular junctions in the Coulomb blockade regime: Rectification and nesting

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Abstract

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 us to explore the charging regime via the nonequilibrium Green function formalism, and found full agreement with the master-equation results. Our theory, beyond its experimental relevance, offers a transparent framework for the systematic and modular inclusion of a richer physical phenomenology.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Number of pages7
JournalPhysical Review B
Volume76
Issue number4
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2007
Peer-reviewedYes

External IDs

Scopus 34447297846

Keywords

Keywords

  • Quantum-dot system, Electron-transport, Fine-structure, Conductance, Simulations