Out of equilibrium charge transport in molecular electronic devices

TL;DR

This paper investigates charge transport in molecular electronic devices using the Lindblad equation, revealing an optimal bias point and its stability against disorder in a benzene-based system.

Contribution

It introduces a Lindblad equation approach to analyze nonequilibrium stationary states in molecular devices, highlighting an optimal bias point and robustness features.

Findings

Identification of an optimal bias point for current

Robustness of the optimal point against disorder

Change in current monotonicity at the optimal bias

Abstract

Using the Lindblad equation approach, we study the nonequilibrium stationary state of a benzene ring connected to two reservoirs in the large bias regime, a prototype of a generic molecular electronic device. We show the emergence of an optimal working point (corresponding to a change in the monotonicity of the stationary current, as a function of the applied bias) and its robustness against chemical potential and bond disorder.