Mechanoelectric sensitivity reveals destructive quantum interference in single-molecule junctions

Sebastiaan Poel, Juan Hurtado-Gallego, Matthias Blaschke, Rubén López-Nebreda, Almudena Gallego, Marcel Mayor (), Fabian Pauly (), Herre S. J. Zant () and Nicolás Agraït ()
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Sebastiaan Poel: Delft University of Technology
Juan Hurtado-Gallego: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Matthias Blaschke: University of Augsburg
Rubén López-Nebreda: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
Almudena Gallego: University of Basel
Marcel Mayor: University of Basel
Fabian Pauly: University of Augsburg
Herre S. J. Zant: Delft University of Technology
Nicolás Agraït: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid

Nature Communications, 2024, vol. 15, issue 1, 1-8

Abstract: Abstract Quantum interference plays an important role in charge transport through single-molecule junctions, even at room temperature. Of special interest is the measurement of the destructive quantum interference dip itself. Such measurements are especially demanding when performed in a continuous mode of operation. Here, we use mechanical modulation experiments at ambient conditions to reconstruct the destructive quantum interference dip of conductance versus displacement. Simultaneous measurements of the Seebeck coefficient show a sinusoidal response across the dip without sign change. Calculations that include electrode distance and energy alignment variations explain both observations quantitatively, emphasizing the crucial role of thermal fluctuations for measurements under ambient conditions. Our results open the way for establishing a closer link between break-junction experiments and theory in explaining single-molecule transport phenomena, especially when describing sharp features in the transmission.

Date: 2024
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DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-53825-x

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