Negative differential conductance in molecular junctions: an overview of experiment and theory

摘要: One of the ultimate goals molecular electronics is to create technologies that will complement - and eventually supersede Si-based microelectronics technologies. To reach this goal, electronic properties mimic at least some electrical behaviors today's semiconductor components must be recognized characterized. AN outstanding example for one such behavior negative differential conductance (NDC), in which an increase voltage across device terminals results a decrease current passing through device. This overview focuses on NDC phenomena observed metal-single molecule-metal junctions, roughly divided into two parts. In first part, central experiments demonstrate single-molecule junctions are critically overviewed, with emphasis main observations their possible physical origins. The second part devoted theory where simple models employed shed light mechanisms leading NDC.