Conductance of a Molecular Junction

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 278; no. 5336; pp. 252 - 254
• Main Authors: Reed, M. A., Zhou, C., Muller, C. J., Burgin, T. P., Tour, J. M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for the Advancement of Science 10-10-1997; American Association for the Advancement of Science; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Capacitance; Chemistry; Climate; Electric potential; Electrical conductivity; Electrochemistry; Electrodes; Electrodes: preparations and properties; Exact sciences and technology; General and physical chemistry; Gold; Inhalants; Molecular electronics; Molecules; Observation; Organic Chemistry; Organic conductors; Other electrodes; Quantum tunneling; Room temperature; Semiconductors; Solvents; Trolley wire; Electrodes; Self assembly; Monolayer; Gold; Thiol; Electrical conductivity; Benzenic compound; Transition metal; Charge transport; Experimental study; Modified material
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.278.5336.252

Molecules of benzene-1,4-dithiol were self-assembled onto the two facing gold electrodes of a mechanically controllable break junction to form a statically stable gold-sulfur-aryl-sulfur-gold system, allowing for direct observation of charge transport through the molecules. Current-voltage measurements at room temperature demonstrated a highly reproducible apparent gap at about 0.7 volt, and the conductance-voltage curve showed two steps in both bias directions. This study provides a quantative measure of the conductance of a junction containing a single molecule, which is a fundamental step in the emerging area of molecular-scale electronics.