Journal Article

Investigation on Single-Molecule Junctions Based on Current–Voltage Characteristics

Matsuzawa, Yuya, Isshiki, Yuji, Fujii, Shintaro, Kiguchi, Manabu

2018

Overview

The relationship between the current through an electronic device and the voltage across its terminals is a current–voltage characteristic (I–V) that determine basic device performance. Currently, I–V measurement on a single-molecule scale can be performed using break junction technique, where a single molecule junction can be prepared by trapping a single molecule into a nanogap between metal electrodes. The single-molecule I–Vs provide not only the device performance, but also reflect information on energy dispersion of the electronic state and the electron-molecular vibration coupling in the junction. This mini review focuses on recent representative studies on I–Vs of the single molecule junctions that cover investigation on the single-molecule diode property, the molecular vibration, and the electronic structure as a form of transmission probability, and electronic density of states, including the spin state of the single-molecule junctions. In addition, thermoelectronic measurements based on I–Vs and identification of the charged carriers (i.e., electrons or holes) are presented. The analysis in the single-molecule I–Vs provides fundamental and essential information for a better understanding of the single-molecule science, and puts the single molecule junction to more practical use in molecular devices.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: atomic and electronic structure / Coupling (molecular) / Current voltage characteristics / Electron states / Electronic structure / Molecular structure / Review / single-molecule junction / spin state / vibrational mode