Quantum Interference and Decoherence in Single-Molecule Junctions: How Vibrations Induce Electrical Current
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
2011-07-25 v1
Abstract
Quantum interference effects and decoherence mechanisms in single-molecule junctions are analyzed employing a nonequilibrium Green's function approach. Electrons tunneling through quasi-degenerate states of a nanoscale molecular junction exhibit interference effects. We show that electronic-vibrational coupling, inherent to any molecular junction, strongly quenches such interference effects. As a result, the electrical current can be significantly larger than without electronic-vibrational coupling. The analysis reveals that the quenching of quantum interference is particularly pronounced if the junction is vibrationally highly excited, e.g. due to current-induced nonequilibrium effects in the resonant transport regime.
Cite
@article{arxiv.1102.4190,
title = {Quantum Interference and Decoherence in Single-Molecule Junctions: How Vibrations Induce Electrical Current},
author = {R. Härtle and M. Butzin and O. Rubio-Pons and M. Thoss},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:1102.4190},
year = {2011}
}
Comments
11 pages, 4 figures