Electronic properties of ordered and disordered linear clusters of atoms and molecules

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electronic properties of one-dimensional atomic and molecular clusters, analyzing both ordered and disordered arrangements using an exact model, with implications for nanostructures and molecular electronics.

Contribution

It provides exact calculations of energy levels, states, and density of states for linear clusters, including effects of disorder, advancing understanding of 1D electronic systems.

Findings

Exact eigenvalues and eigenstates for ordered clusters

Impact of disorder on electronic properties

Potential applications in nanotechnology and molecular electronics

Abstract

The electronic properties of one-dimensional clusters of N atoms or molecules have been studied. The model used is similar to the Kronig-Penney model with the potential offered by each ion being approximated by an attractive delta function. The energy eigenvalues, the eigenstates and the density of states are calculated exactly for a linear cluster of N atoms or molecules. The dependence of these quantities on the various parameters of the problem show interesting behavior. Effects of random distribution of the positions of the atoms and random distribution of the strengths of the potential have also been studied. The results obtained in this paper can have direct applications for linear chain of atoms produced on metal surfaces or artificially created chain of atoms by using scanning tunneling microscope or in studying molecular conduction of electrons across one-dimensional barriers.