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Title: Optically induced transport through semiconductor-based molecular electronics

Journal Article · · Journal of Chemical Physics
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4917029· OSTI ID:22415662
;  [1]
  1. Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois 60208 (United States)

A tight binding model is used to investigate photoinduced tunneling current through a molecular bridge coupled to two semiconductor electrodes. A quantum master equation is developed within a non-Markovian theory based on second-order perturbation theory with respect to the molecule-semiconductor electrode coupling. The spectral functions are generated using a one dimensional alternating bond model, and the coupling between the molecule and the electrodes is expressed through a corresponding correlation function. Since the molecular bridge orbitals are inside the bandgap between the conduction and valence bands, charge carrier tunneling is inhibited in the dark. Subject to the dipole interaction with the laser field, virtual molecular states are generated via the absorption and emission of photons, and new tunneling channels open. Interesting phenomena arising from memory are noted. Such a phenomenon could serve as a switch.

OSTI ID:
22415662
Journal Information:
Journal of Chemical Physics, Vol. 142, Issue 15; Other Information: (c) 2015 AIP Publishing LLC; Country of input: International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA); ISSN 0021-9606
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English