scholarly journals Molecular Electronics: From Single‐Molecule to Large‐Area Devices

ChemPlusChem ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 84 (9) ◽  
pp. 1215-1221 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dominique Vuillaume
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Large Area

scholarly journals Carbon tips for all-carbon single-molecule electronics

Nanoscale ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 6 (12) ◽  
pp. 6953-6958 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. J. Dappe ◽  
C. González ◽  
J. C. Cuevas
Keyword(s):  
Ab Initio ◽  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Carbon Nanostructures ◽  
Molecular Junctions ◽  
Single Molecule Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule Junctions ◽  
Carbon Based

We present anab initiostudy of the use of carbon-based tips as electrodes in single-molecule junctions. We show that carbon tips can be combined with other carbon nanostructures to form all-carbon molecular junctions with molecules like benzene or C60. Results show that the use of carbon tips can lead to conductive molecular junctions and open new perspectives in all-carbon molecular electronics.

Measurement and control of detailed electronic properties in a single molecule break junction

2014 ◽  
Vol 174 ◽  
pp. 91-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kun Wang ◽  
Joseph Hamill ◽  
Jianfeng Zhou ◽  
Cunlan Guo ◽  
Bingqian Xu
Keyword(s):  
Data Analysis ◽  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Molecular Orbitals ◽  
Break Junction ◽  
Break Junctions ◽  
Single Molecule Level ◽  
Analysis Techniques ◽  
Future Design ◽  
Molecule Junction

The lack of detailed experimental controls has been one of the major obstacles hindering progress in molecular electronics. While large fluctuations have been occurring in the experimental data, specific details, related mechanisms, and data analysis techniques are in high demand to promote our physical understanding at the single-molecule level. A series of modulations we recently developed, based on traditional scanning probe microscopy break junctions (SPMBJs), have helped to discover significant properties in detail which are hidden in the contact interfaces of a single-molecule break junction (SMBJ). For example, in the past we have shown that the correlated force and conductance changes under the saw tooth modulation and stretch–hold mode of PZT movement revealed inherent differences in the contact geometries of a molecular junction. In this paper, using a bias-modulated SPMBJ and utilizing emerging data analysis techniques, we report on the measurement of the altered alignment of the HOMO of benzene molecules with changing the anchoring group which coupled the molecule to metal electrodes. Further calculations based on Landauer fitting and transition voltage spectroscopy (TVS) demonstrated the effects of modulated bias on the location of the frontier molecular orbitals. Understanding the alignment of the molecular orbitals with the Fermi level of the electrodes is essential for understanding the behaviour of SMBJs and for the future design of more complex devices. With these modulations and analysis techniques, fruitful information has been found about the nature of the metal–molecule junction, providing us insightful clues towards the next step for in-depth study.

scholarly journals Nearfield trapping increases lifetime of single-molecule junction by one order of magnitude

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Albert C. Aragonès ◽  
Katrin F. Domke
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Fold Increase ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
Non Invasive ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Molecule Junction ◽  
Single Molecule Junction ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Power Densities

Abstract Progress in molecular electronics (ME) is largely based on improved understanding of the properties of single molecules (SM) trapped for seconds or longer to enable their detailed characterization. We present a plasmon-supported break-junction (PBJ) platform to significantly increase the lifetime of SM junctions of 1,4-benzendithiol (BDT) without the need for chemical modification of molecule or electrode. Moderate far-field power densities of ca. 11 mW/µm2 lead to a >10-fold increase in minimum lifetime compared to laser-OFF conditions. The nearfield trapping efficiency is twice as large for bridge-site contact compared to hollow-site geometry, which can be attributed to the difference in polarizability. Current measurements and tip-enhanced Raman spectra confirm that native structure and contact geometry of BDT are preserved during the PBJ experiment. By providing a non-invasive pathway to increase short lifetimes of SM junctions, PBJ is a valuable approach for ME, paving the way for improved SM sensing and recognition platforms.

scholarly journals Label-free DNA biosensing by topological light confinement

Nanophotonics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Gianluigi Zito ◽  
Gennaro Sanità ◽  
Bryan Guilcapi Alulema ◽  
Sofía N. Lara Yépez ◽  
Vittorino Lanzio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Bound States ◽  
Production Control ◽  
Point Of Care ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Label Free ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Light Confinement ◽  
Binding Event ◽  
The Continuum

Abstract Large-area and transparent all-dielectric metasurfaces sustaining photonic bound states in the continuum (BICs) provide a set of fundamental advantages for ultrasensitive biosensing. BICs bridge the gap of large effective mode volume with large experimental quality factor. Relying on the transduction mechanism of reactive sensing principle, herein, we first numerically study the potential of subwavelength confinement driven by topological decoupling from free space radiation for BIC-based biosensing. Then, we experimentally combine this capability with minimal and low-cost optical setup, applying the devised quasi-BIC resonator for PNA/DNA selective biosensing with real-time monitoring of the binding event. A sensitivity of 20 molecules per micron squared is achieved, i.e. ≃0.01 pg. Further enhancement can easily be envisaged, pointing out the possibility of single-molecule regime. This work aims at a precise and ultrasensitive approach for developing low-cost point-of-care tools suitable for routine disease prescreening analyses in laboratory, also adaptable to industrial production control.

scholarly journals Beating the reaction limits of biosensor sensitivity with dynamic tracking of single binding events

2019 ◽  
Vol 116 (10) ◽  
pp. 4129-4134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Derin Sevenler ◽  
Jacob Trueb ◽  
M. Selim Ünlü
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Limit Of Detection ◽  
Solid Phase ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Kinetic Assay ◽  
Synthetic Dna ◽  
Dynamic Tracking ◽  
Binding Event ◽  
Endpoint Assay ◽  
Phase Sensor

The clinical need for ultrasensitive molecular analysis has motivated the development of several endpoint-assay technologies capable of single-molecule readout. These endpoint assays are now primarily limited by the affinity and specificity of the molecular-recognition agents for the analyte of interest. In contrast, a kinetic assay with single-molecule readout could distinguish between low-abundance, high-affinity (specific analyte) and high-abundance, low-affinity (nonspecific background) binding by measuring the duration of individual binding events at equilibrium. Here, we describe such a kinetic assay, in which individual binding events are detected and monitored during sample incubation. This method uses plasmonic gold nanorods and interferometric reflectance imaging to detect thousands of individual binding events across a multiplex solid-phase sensor with a large area approaching that of leading bead-based endpoint-assay technologies. A dynamic tracking procedure is used to measure the duration of each event. From this, the total rates of binding and debinding as well as the distribution of binding-event durations are determined. We observe a limit of detection of 19 fM for a proof-of-concept synthetic DNA analyte in a 12-plex assay format.

scholarly journals Single molecule vs. large area design of molecular electronic devices incorporating an efficient 2-aminepyridine double anchoring group

Nanoscale ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (34) ◽  
pp. 15871-15880 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Herrer ◽  
A. Ismael ◽  
S. Martín ◽  
D. C. Milan ◽  
J. L. Serrano ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Molecular Electronic ◽  
Single Molecule Level ◽  
Order Of Magnitude ◽  
Anchoring Group ◽  
Molecular Skeleton ◽  
Molecular Electronic Devices

The electrical properties of a bidentate molecule in both large area devices and at the single molecule level have been explored and exhibit a conductance one order of magnitude higher than that of monodentate materials with same molecular skeleton.

scholarly journals Nanofabrication Techniques in Large-Area Molecular Electronic Devices

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (17) ◽  
pp. 6064
Author(s):  
Lucía Herrer ◽  
Santiago Martín ◽  
Pilar Cea
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Electronic Devices ◽  
Functional Materials ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Molecular Electronic ◽  
Hybrid Technology ◽  
Top Contact ◽  
Silicon Based ◽  
Molecular Electronic Devices

The societal impact of the electronics industry is enormous—not to mention how this industry impinges on the global economy. The foreseen limits of the current technology—technical, economic, and sustainability issues—open the door to the search for successor technologies. In this context, molecular electronics has emerged as a promising candidate that, at least in the short-term, will not likely replace our silicon-based electronics, but improve its performance through a nascent hybrid technology. Such technology will take advantage of both the small dimensions of the molecules and new functionalities resulting from the quantum effects that govern the properties at the molecular scale. An optimization of interface engineering and integration of molecules to form densely integrated individually addressable arrays of molecules are two crucial aspects in the molecular electronics field. These challenges should be met to establish the bridge between organic functional materials and hard electronics required for the incorporation of such hybrid technology in the market. In this review, the most advanced methods for fabricating large-area molecular electronic devices are presented, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Special emphasis is focused on bottom-up methodologies for the fabrication of well-ordered and tightly-packed monolayers onto the bottom electrode, followed by a description of the top-contact deposition methods so far used.

scholarly journals Intermolecular Effects on Tunneling through Acenes in Large-Area and Single-Molecule Junctions

2020 ◽  
Vol 124 (41) ◽  
pp. 22776-22783
Author(s):  
Yuru Liu ◽  
Luca Ornago ◽  
Marco Carlotti ◽  
Yong Ai ◽  
Maria El Abbassi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Single Molecule ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Single Molecule Junctions

A surprising way to control the charge transport in molecular electronics: the subtle impact of the coverage of self-assembled monolayers of floppy molecules adsorbed on metallic electrodes

2017 ◽  
Vol 204 ◽  
pp. 35-52 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ioan Bâldea
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Electronics ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Molecular Species ◽  
Molecular Conformation ◽  
Theoretical Work ◽  
Self Assembled Monolayers ◽  
Scanning Tunneling ◽  
Assembled Monolayers ◽  
Self Assembled ◽  
Twisting Angle

Inspired by earlier attempts in organic electronics aiming at controlling charge injection from metals into organic materials by manipulating the Schottky energy barrier using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs), recent experimental and theoretical work in molecular electronics showed that metal–organic interfaces can be controlled via changes in the metal work function that are induced by SAMs. In this paper we indicate a different route to achieve interface-driven control over the charge transfer/transport at the molecular scale. It is based on the fact that, in floppy molecule based SAMs, the molecular conformation can be tuned by varying the coverage of the adsorbate. We demonstrate this effect with the aid of benchmark molecules that are often used to fabricate nanojunctions and consist of two rings that can easily rotate relative to each other. We show that, by varying the coverage of the SAM, the twisting angle φ of the considered molecular species can be modified by a factor of two. Given the fact that the low bias conductance G scales as cos2 φ, this results in a change in G of over one order of magnitude for the considered molecular species. Tuning the twisting angle by controlling the SAM coverage may be significant, e.g., for current efforts to fabricate molecular switches. Conversely, the lack of control over the local SAM coverage may be problematic for the reproducibility and interpretation of the STM (scanning tunneling microscope) measurements on repeatedly forming single molecule break junctions.

scholarly journals Development of new photon-counting detectors for single-molecule fluorescence microscopy

2013 ◽  
Vol 368 (1611) ◽  
pp. 20120035 ◽  
Author(s):  
X. Michalet ◽  
R. A. Colyer ◽  
G. Scalia ◽  
A. Ingargiola ◽  
R. Lin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Fluorescence Microscopy ◽  
Single Molecule ◽  
Single Photon ◽  
Photon Counting ◽  
Wide Field ◽  
Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging ◽  
Large Area ◽  
Single Molecule Fluorescence ◽  
Single Photon Counting ◽  
Single Molecule Fluorescence Microscopy

Two optical configurations are commonly used in single-molecule fluorescence microscopy: point-like excitation and detection to study freely diffusing molecules, and wide field illumination and detection to study surface immobilized or slowly diffusing molecules. Both approaches have common features, but also differ in significant aspects. In particular, they use different detectors, which share some requirements but also have major technical differences. Currently, two types of detectors best fulfil the needs of each approach: single-photon-counting avalanche diodes (SPADs) for point-like detection, and electron-multiplying charge-coupled devices (EMCCDs) for wide field detection. However, there is room for improvements in both cases. The first configuration suffers from low throughput owing to the analysis of data from a single location. The second, on the other hand, is limited to relatively low frame rates and loses the benefit of single-photon-counting approaches. During the past few years, new developments in point-like and wide field detectors have started addressing some of these issues. Here, we describe our recent progresses towards increasing the throughput of single-molecule fluorescence spectroscopy in solution using parallel arrays of SPADs. We also discuss our development of large area photon-counting cameras achieving subnanosecond resolution for fluorescence lifetime imaging applications at the single-molecule level.

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