Design principles of dual-functional molecular switches in solid-state tunnel junctions

Damien Thompson; Enrique del Barco; Christian A. Nijhuis

doi:10.1063/5.0016280

Design principles of dual-functional molecular switches in solid-state tunnel junctions

Damien Thompson^*, Enrique del Barco^*, Christian A. Nijhuis^*

^*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Academic › peer-review

11 Citations (Scopus)

63 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Molecular electronics has improved tremendously over the past 20 years, but it remains challenging to develop molecular switches that operate well in two-terminal tunnel junctions. Emerging technologies demand multi-functional junctions that can switch between different operations within a single molecule or molecular monolayer. Usually the focus is placed on molecules that shift the junctions between high and low conductance states, but here we describe molecular junctions with dual-functional switching capability. We discuss the operating mechanism of such switches and present examples of “two-in-one” junctions of a diode placed in series with an additional switch, which can operate either as an electrostatic or a memory on/off switch. We propose guidelines for future designs of such dual-function molecular switches and provide an outlook for future directions of research.

Original language	English
Article number	030502
Journal	Applied physics letters
Volume	117
Issue number	3
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1063/5.0016280
Publication status	Published - 20 Jul 2020
Externally published	Yes

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Thompson-2020-Design-principles-of-dual-functionaFinal published version, 1.68 MBLicence: CC BY

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AB - Molecular electronics has improved tremendously over the past 20 years, but it remains challenging to develop molecular switches that operate well in two-terminal tunnel junctions. Emerging technologies demand multi-functional junctions that can switch between different operations within a single molecule or molecular monolayer. Usually the focus is placed on molecules that shift the junctions between high and low conductance states, but here we describe molecular junctions with dual-functional switching capability. We discuss the operating mechanism of such switches and present examples of “two-in-one” junctions of a diode placed in series with an additional switch, which can operate either as an electrostatic or a memory on/off switch. We propose guidelines for future designs of such dual-function molecular switches and provide an outlook for future directions of research.

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Design principles of dual-functional molecular switches in solid-state tunnel junctions

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