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Non-Markovian waiting-time distribution for electron transport through a vibrating molecular junction
Hongzhe Zhao1, Yi Ding1,2, Jinggui Tang1
1Department of Physics, Zhejiang University of Science and Technology, Hangzhou 310023, China.
The Journal of Chemical Physics
|November 17, 2025
Summary
Electronic transport in molecular junctions is better understood using a new non-Markovian formalism. This method reveals how molecular vibrations and damping affect electron transport dynamics, crucial for molecular electronics.
Area of Science:
- Condensed Matter Physics
- Quantum Chemistry
- Nanoscience
Background:
- Understanding electronic transport in molecular junctions is vital for advancing molecular electronics.
- Molecular vibrations significantly influence electron transport dynamics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop a non-Markovian formalism for predicting waiting-time distributions (WTD) in molecular junctions.
- To investigate electron transport through vibrating molecules under varying conditions.
Main Methods:
- Developed a generalized quantum master equation for non-Markovian formalism.
- Analyzed waiting-time distributions (WTDs) to explore non-Markovian dynamics.
- Studied the impact of bias, temperature, damping, and tunneling length on electron transport.
Main Results:
- Waiting-time distributions (WTDs) show damped oscillations modulated by molecular vibrations.
- Non-Markovian dynamics sustain these oscillations longer than Markovian dynamics.
- Increased bias or tunneling length reduces non-Markovian signatures, while increased tunneling rate enhances them.
Conclusions:
- The developed non-Markovian formalism accurately describes electron transport influenced by molecular vibrations.
- Non-Markovian effects play a significant role in sustaining oscillatory behavior in electron transport.
- Parameters like bias, tunneling length, and tunneling rate critically modulate non-Markovian dynamics in molecular junctions.
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