The role of quantum interference in determining transport properties of molecular bridges

Abstract

An analytical approach to the electron transport phenomena in molecular devices is presented. The analyzed devices are composed of various molecular bridges attached to two semi-infinite electrodes. Molecular system is described within the tight-binding model, while the coupling to the electrodes is analyzed through the use of Newns-Anderson chemisorption theory. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics are calculated through the integration of transmission function in the standard Landauer formulation. The essential question of quantum interference effect of electron waves is discussed in three aspects: (i) the geometry of a molecular bridge, (ii) the presence of an external magnetic field and (iii) the location of chemical substituent. © Central European Science Journals. All rights reserved.