THz carrier dynamics in single-molecule junctions

2017 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 16K17481
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Young Scientists (B)
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Nanostructural physics
• Research Institution: The University of Tokyo
• Principal Investigator: YOSHIDA KENJI 東京大学, 生産技術研究所, 助教 (50738599)
• Project Period (FY): 2016-04-01 – 2018-03-31
• Keywords: テラヘルツ / 量子ナノ構造 / 量子物性 / 単一分子接合 / カーボンナノチューブ

Outline of Final Research Achievements

Characteristic physical energies in single-molecule junctions lie in the terahertz frequency regime. They are expected to strongly interact with THz photons and THz electromagnetic waves have an impact on carrier dynamics in single-molecule junctions. However, experimental reports of electron transport in single-molecule junctions have so far been done in the DC regime, and the carrier dynamics has not been clear yet. In this research, we fabricated single-molecule transistors and analyzed THz-induced photocurrents generated by irradiating external THz electromagnetic fields onto the devices. By using this spectroscopic method, we successfully observed center-of-mass oscillation of organic molecules, which is a demonstration of THz spectroscopy at the single-molecule level. Furthermore, we applied the same method to single carbon-nanotube molecules and succeeded in observing THz-intersublevel transisions.

Free Research Field

ナノエレクトロニクス