Coherent electron transport through an azobenzene molecule: A light-driven molecular switch
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
2015-06-18 v1
Abstract
We apply a first-principles computational approach to study a light-sensitive molecular switch. The molecule that comprises the switch can convert between a trans and a cis configuration upon photo-excitation. We find that the conductance of the two isomers vary dramatically, which suggests that this system has potential application as a molecular device. A detailed analysis of the band structure of the metal leads and the local density of states of the system reveals the mechanism of the switch.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1311.5724,
title = {Coherent electron transport through an azobenzene molecule: A light-driven molecular switch},
author = {Chun Zhang and M. -H. Du and H. -P. Cheng and X. -G. Zhang and A. E. Roitberg and J. L. Krause},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1311.5724},
year = {2015}
}
Comments
11 pages, 4 figures