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Updated: Jun 23, 2026
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All-electronic Nanosecond-resolved Scanning Tunneling Microscopy: Facilitating the Investigation of Single Dopant Charge Dynamics
Published on: January 19, 2018
Turning charge transfer on and off in a molecular interferometer with vibronic pathways
Dequan Xiao1, Spiros S Skourtis, Igor V Rubtsov
1Department of Chemistry, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
Nano Letters
|May 14, 2009
Summary
We demonstrate active control over inelastic electron transfer in molecules using infrared radiation to manipulate vibronic coupling pathways. This enables the development of molecular quantum interferometers and switches.
Area of Science:
- Molecular electronics
- Quantum phenomena in molecules
- Vibronic coupling dynamics
Background:
- Inelastic electron transfer (IET) is sensitive to bridge-localized vibronic interactions in donor-bridge-acceptor molecules.
- Controlling IET is crucial for developing molecular electronic devices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To demonstrate active control over inelastic electron transfer using molecular interferometry.
- To explore the use of infrared radiation for selecting specific vibronic coupling pathways.
- To propose strategies for creating molecular quantum interferometers and switches.
Main Methods:
- Utilizing a double-slit type experiment with molecules acting as interferometers.
- Describing donor-acceptor interactions via interfering vibronic coupling pathways.
- Employing infrared radiation to excite pathway-specific vibrations, effectively 'labeling' pathways.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that inelastic electron transfer can be actively turned on and off.
- Showcased the ability to select and control specific vibronic coupling pathways.
- Established a method for actively controlling inelastic tunneling.
Conclusions:
- Inelastic electron transfer kinetics are tunable via bridge vibronic interactions.
- Molecular interferometry combined with infrared excitation offers a route to control electron transfer.
- This work provides a foundation for designing molecular-scale quantum devices like switches and interferometers.
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