Open AccessMolecular Electronics – Integration of Single Molecules in Electronic Circuits
Author(s) -
Marcel Mayor,
Heiko B. Weber
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
chimia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2673-2424
pISSN - 0009-4293
DOI - 10.2533/000942902777680144
Subject(s) - molecular electronics , molecule , electronic circuit , electronics , conductance , break junction , nanotechnology , current (fluid) , materials science , thermal conduction , voltage , organic molecules , optoelectronics , chemical physics , chemistry , electrical engineering , physics , quantum tunnelling , condensed matter physics , engineering , composite material , organic chemistry
Electronic devices made with organic molecules may one day play an important role in integrated circuits. However, the research is still in its infancy. The mechanically controlled break-junction technique allows the measurement of the current through a single molecule junction. The current–voltage relations indicate a nonlinear conductance. Information about the junction can be provided by comparative studies of different molecules. It turns out that the conduction properties depend strongly on the molecular structure. This, in turn, encourages the idea of tailoring the electronic properties by an appropriate design of the molecule.