Photoinduced current in molecular conduction junctions with semiconductor contacts

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel method for controlling molecular junction transport using semiconductor contacts and sub-bandgap optical frequencies, enabling optical manipulation of nanoelectronic devices.

Contribution

It presents a new approach that uses intrinsic semiconductor contacts and optical frequencies below the bandgap to coherently control photocurrent in molecular junctions.

Findings

Prediction of coherent destruction of induced tunneling.

Demonstration of potential for optical control of photocurrent.

Extension of coherent destruction of tunneling effects.

Abstract

We propose a new approach to coherent control of transport via molecular junctions, which bypasses several of the hurdles to experimental realization of optically manipulated nanoelectronics noted in the previous literature. The method is based on the ap-plication of intrinsic semiconductor contacts and optical frequencies below the semiconductor bandgap. It relies on a simple and general concept, namely the controllable photonic replication of molecular levels through the dipole driving the molecular bridge by an electromagnetic field. We predict the effect of coherent destruction of induced tunneling that extends the certain effect of coherent destruction of tunneling. Our results illustrate the potential of semiconductor contacts in coherent control of photocurrent.