Focus
Molecular electronics
- Focus issue:
- June 2013 Volume 8 No 6 pp377-467
Image: © S. V. Aradhya and L. Venkataraman, Columbia Univ.
Since the early 1970s, researchers have looked to use individual molecules as functional building blocks in electronic circuits, but the field of molecular electronics has been hampered by significant experimental challenges and practical devices have remained elusive. Recent improvements in the study of single-molecule junctions have, however, led to the discovery of a variety of novel effects, which could have an impact on a range of applications. This focus issue examines the challenges and opportunities for the field.
Editorial
Does molecular electronics compute? - p377
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.116
The field of molecular electronics originally set out to build computers, but silicon-based technology is unlikely to be replaced anytime soon. Nevertheless, the field has developed into a highly interdisciplinary endeavour, which could have a variety of ramifications that extend beyond computing.
Abstract - Does molecular electronics compute? | Full text - Does molecular electronics compute? | PDF (192 KB) - Does molecular electronics compute?
Commentaries
Wiring molecules into circuits - pp381 - 384
Emanuel Lörtscher
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.105
Inexpensive, functional and atomically precise molecules could be the basis of future electronic devices, but integrating them into circuits will require the development of new ways to control the interface between molecules and electrodes.
Abstract - Wiring molecules into circuits | Full text - Wiring molecules into circuits | PDF (321 KB) - Wiring molecules into circuits
A brief history of molecular electronics - pp378 - 381
Mark Ratner
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.110
The field of molecular electronics has been around for more than 40 years, but only recently have some fundamental problems been overcome. It is now time for researchers to move beyond simple descriptions of charge transport and explore the numerous intrinsic features of molecules.
Abstract - A brief history of molecular electronics | Full text - A brief history of molecular electronics | PDF (295 KB) - A brief history of molecular electronics
Feature
Visions for a molecular future - pp385 - 389
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.101
Leading researchers in molecular electronics discuss the motivation behind their work and what they consider to be the grand challenges for the field.
Abstract - Visions for a molecular future | Full text - Visions for a molecular future | PDF (898 KB) - Visions for a molecular future
Review
Single-molecule junctions beyond electronic transport - pp399 - 410
Sriharsha V. Aradhya & Latha Venkataraman
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.91
This Review describes emerging techniques for characterizing the fundamental properties of molecular junctions besides electronic transport.
Abstract - Single-molecule junctions beyond electronic transport | Full text - Single-molecule junctions beyond electronic transport | PDF (1,450 KB) - Single-molecule junctions beyond electronic transport
From the archives
Letters
Strong spin–phonon coupling between a single-molecule magnet and a carbon nanotube nanoelectromechanical system
Marc Ganzhorn, Svetlana Klyatskaya, Mario Ruben & Wolfgang Wernsdorfer
doi:10.1038/nnano.2012.258
The coupling between a single-molecule spin and a single phonon in a carbon nanotube is observed.
Abstract - Strong spin–phonon coupling between a single-molecule magnet and a carbon nanotube nanoelectromechanical system | Full text - Strong spin–phonon coupling between a single-molecule magnet and a carbon nanotube nanoelectromechanical system | PDF (907 KB) - Strong spin–phonon coupling between a single-molecule magnet and a carbon nanotube nanoelectromechanical system | Supplementary information
Probing the conductance superposition law in single-molecule circuits with parallel paths
H. Vazquez, R. Skouta, S. Schneebeli, M. Kamenetska, R. Breslow, L. Venkataraman & M.S. Hybertsen
doi:10.1038/nnano.2012.147
Kirchhoff's conductance superposition law is investigated in single-molecule circuits. A single-molecule junction with two backbones in a parallel configuration can exhibit more than twice the conductance of a single-molecule junction with one backbone, a demonstration of constructive quantum interference.
Abstract - Probing the conductance superposition law in single-molecule circuits with parallel paths | Full text - Probing the conductance superposition law in single-molecule circuits with parallel paths | PDF (1,893 KB) - Probing the conductance superposition law in single-molecule circuits with parallel paths | Supplementary information
Photocurrent of a single photosynthetic protein
Daniel Gerster, Joachim Reichert, Hai Bi, Johannes V. Barth, Simone M. Kaniber, Alexander W. Holleitner, Iris Visoly-Fisher, Shlomi Sergani & Itai Carmeli
doi:10.1038/nnano.2012.165
The photocurrent generated by a single photosynthetic protein can be measured using a scanning near-field optical probe that functions as both an electrode and a light source.
Abstract - Photocurrent of a single photosynthetic protein | Full text - Photocurrent of a single photosynthetic protein | PDF (1,724 KB) - Photocurrent of a single photosynthetic protein | Supplementary information
Observation of quantum interference in molecular charge transport
Constant M. Guédon, Hennie Valkenier, Troels Markussen, Kristian S. Thygesen, Jan C. Hummelen & Sense Jan van der Molen
doi:10.1038/nnano.2012.37
Charge-transport measurements provide direct evidence for destructive quantum interference in two-terminal molecular junctions at room temperature.
Abstract - Observation of quantum interference in molecular charge transport | Full text - Observation of quantum interference in molecular charge transport | PDF (2,668 KB) - Observation of quantum interference in molecular charge transport | Supplementary information
Mechanically controlled molecular orbital alignment in single molecule junctions
Christopher Bruot, Joshua Hihath & Nongjian Tao
doi:10.1038/nnano.2011.212
The conductance of a single molecule of 1,4'-benzenedithiol bridged between two gold electrodes increases as it is stretched because the energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital is shifted towards the Fermi energy of the electrodes, leading to a resonant enhancement of the conductance.
Abstract - Mechanically controlled molecular orbital alignment in single molecule junctions | Full text - Mechanically controlled molecular orbital alignment in single molecule junctions | PDF (981 KB) - Mechanically controlled molecular orbital alignment in single molecule junctions | Supplementary information
In situ formation of highly conducting covalent Au–C contacts for single-molecule junctions
Z.-L. Cheng, R. Skouta, H. Vazquez, J. R. Widawsky, S. Schneebeli, W. Chen, M. S. Hybertsen, R. Breslow & L. Venkataraman
doi:10.1038/nnano.2011.66
It is possible to form covalent bonds between the gold atoms in an electrode and the carbon atoms in the backbone of a conducting molecule to create highly conducting contacts.
Abstract - In situ formation of highly conducting covalent Au–C contacts for single-molecule junctions | Full text - In situ formation of highly conducting covalent Au–C contacts for single-molecule junctions | PDF (935 KB) - In situ formation of highly conducting covalent Au–C contacts for single-molecule junctions | Supplementary information
Controlling single-molecule conductance through lateral coupling of π orbitals
Ismael Diez-Perez, Joshua Hihath, Thomas Hines, Zhong-Sheng Wang, Gang Zhou, Klaus Müllen & Nongjian Tao
doi:10.1038/nnano.2011.20
The conductance of a single molecule can be reversibly tuned by mechanically changing the tilt angle between the molecule and contact electrodes.
Abstract - Controlling single-molecule conductance through lateral coupling of π orbitals | Full text - Controlling single-molecule conductance through lateral coupling of π orbitals | PDF (3,627 KB) - Controlling single-molecule conductance through lateral coupling of π orbitals | Supplementary information
Atomic-scale engineering of electrodes for single-molecule contacts
Guillaume Schull, Thomas Frederiksen, Andrés Arnau, Daniel Sánchez-Portal & Richard Berndt
doi:10.1038/nnano.2010.215
The conductance of a single C60 molecule depends on the number of atoms in the electrodes that are in direct contact with the molecule.
Abstract - Atomic-scale engineering of electrodes for single-molecule contacts | Full text - Atomic-scale engineering of electrodes for single-molecule contacts | PDF (1,387 KB) - Atomic-scale engineering of electrodes for single-molecule contacts | Supplementary information
Electroluminescence from a single nanotube–molecule–nanotube junction
Christoph W. Marquardt, Sergio Grunder, Alfred B&lstroke;aszczyk, Simone Dehm, Frank Hennrich, Hilbert v. Löhneysen, Marcel Mayor & Ralph Krupke
doi:10.1038/nnano.2010.230
Voltage-induced light emission has been observed from a molecule attached to two carbon-nanotube electrodes.
Abstract - Electroluminescence from a single nanotube�molecule�nanotube junction | Full text - Electroluminescence from a single nanotube�molecule�nanotube junction | PDF (2,316 KB) - Electroluminescence from a single nanotube�molecule�nanotube junction | Supplementary information
Articles
Large tunable image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions
Mickael L. Perrin, Christopher J. O. Verzijl, Christian A. Martin, Ahson J. Shaikh, Rienk Eelkema, Jan H. van Esch, Jan M. van Ruitenbeek, Joseph M. Thijssen, Herre S. J. van der Zant & Diana Dulić
doi:10.1038/nnano.2013.26
Electrically and mechanically tunable molecular junctions show large image-charge effects.
Abstract - Large tunable image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions | Full text - Large tunable image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions | PDF (3,167 KB) - Large tunable image-charge effects in single-molecule junctions | Supplementary information
Long-range electron tunnelling in oligo-porphyrin molecular wires
Gita Sedghi, Víctor M. García-Suárez, Louisa J. Esdaile, Harry L. Anderson, Colin J. Lambert, Santiago Martín, Donald Bethell, Simon J. Higgins, Martin Elliott, Neil Bennett, J. Emyr Macdonald & Richard J. Nichols
doi:10.1038/nnano.2011.111
A combination of calculations and electrical measurements on oligo-porphyrin wires in single-molecule junctions strongly suggest that the mechanism of long-range charge transport is phase-coherent electron tunnelling.
Abstract - Long-range electron tunnelling in oligo-porphyrin molecular wires | Full text - Long-range electron tunnelling in oligo-porphyrin molecular wires | PDF (955 KB) - Long-range electron tunnelling in oligo-porphyrin molecular wires | Supplementary information
Giant magnetoresistance through a single molecule
Stefan Schmaus, Alexei Bagrets, Yasmine Nahas, Toyo K. Yamada, Annika Bork, Martin Bowen, Eric Beaurepaire, Ferdinand Evers & Wulf Wulfhekel
doi:10.1038/nnano.2011.11
A single magnetic molecule between ferromagnetic contacts exhibits a 60% magnetoresistance effect and nearly metallic conduction at the same time.
Abstract - Giant magnetoresistance through a single molecule | Full text - Giant magnetoresistance through a single molecule | PDF (1,612 KB) - Giant magnetoresistance through a single molecule | Supplementary information
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