NER: Negative-Differential-Resistance in Heterobilayer Junctions: The Role of the Molecule-Molecule Interface

University Of Minnesota-Twin Cities, Minneapolis MN

Investigators

Abstract

PROPOSAL NO: 0404297 INSTITUTION: U of Minnesota-Twin Cities PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR: Kiehl , Richard TITLE: NER: Negative-Di_erential-Resistance in Heterobilayer Junctions: The Role of the Molecule-Molecule Interface Abstract A systematic study of the relationship between chemical structure and electrical characteristics in a two-layer molecular junction is proposed. The junction is comprised of two thin layers of molecules (self-assembled monolayers) that are sandwiched between metal contacts and share a common interface - i.e., a metal-molecule(1)-molecule(2)-metal structure. The co-PI's have shown that such junctions exhibit reproducible negative differential resistance (NDR) for certain combinations of the two molecular components. Such a junction is an ideal platform for experimental study since it permits the systematic variation of the molecular components and of the chemical nature of the molecule-molecule interface. The present study is predicated on the assumption that the chemical nature of the termini of the two layers impacts the electrical characteristics in a major way through its influence on the electrical and mechanical environment, which would affect charge transfer and the freedom for conformational changes. This study will contribute to the basic understanding of NDR in molecular junctions and will lead to means for optimizing molecular NDR for electronics applications.