Inelastic electron transport through molecular junctions

TL;DR

This paper explores how inelastic effects, caused by molecular vibrations and thermal motions, influence electron transport in molecular junctions, using simple models to highlight the underlying physics.

Contribution

It provides a focused analysis of inelastic and dissipative effects in electron transport through molecular bridges, emphasizing the role of vibrations and thermal motions.

Findings

Inelastic tunneling spectra reveal signatures of electron-vibron interactions.

Dissipative effects significantly alter electron transport characteristics.

Polaronic effects influence electron mobility in molecular junctions.

Abstract

Currently, molecular tunnel junctions are recognized as important active elements of various nanodevices. This gives a strong motivation to study physical mechanisms controlling electron transport through molecules. Electron motion through a molecular bridge is always somewhat affected by the environment, and the interactions with the invironment could change the energy of the traveling electron. Under certain conditions these inelastic effects may significantly modify electron transport characteristics. In the present work we describe inelastic and dissipative effects in the electron transport occurring due to the molecular bridge vibrations and stochastic thermally activated ion motions. We intentionally use simple models and computational techniques to keep a reader focused on the physics of inelastic electron transport in molecular tunnel junctions. We consider electron-vibron interactions and their manifestations in the inelastic tunneling spectra, polaronic effects and dissipative electron transport. Also, we briefly discuss long-range electron transfer reactions in macromolecules and their relation to the electron transport through molecular junctions.