Home > Press > Quantum pumping in molecular junctions
![]() |
| The study focuses on the quantum pump effect in a benzenedithiol molecule connected to two copper electrodes and coupled with cavity photons. Credit Senior Lecturer Riku Tuovinen |
Abstract:
Researchers have developed a new theoretical modelling technique that could potentially be used in the development of switches or amplifiers in molecular electronics. The modelling technique is a collaboration between researchers at the University of Jyväskylä, Finland, and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, Poland.
Molecular electronics is the study of how electrons move in junctions formed by individual molecules and how this can be used in electronic devices. The time scales of the theoretical models typically used in these processes are very fast compared to those observed experimentally and aligning them has been a challenge.
Using a new modelling technique developed by researchers at the University of Jyväskylä and Wroclaw University of Science and Technology, a setup was investigated in which a benzenedithiol molecule is coupled to copper electrodes and interacts with light in a cavity. The new theoretical method provides an experimentally relevant time scale for the study of molecular junctions.
“Our theoretical results show that the molecular system we studied can produce significant light emission and high harmonic generation,” says Senior Lecturer Riku Tuovinen from the University of Jyväskylä.
Interestingly, the way these effects occur is more akin to what has been observed in solid state materials rather than in atomic or molecular systems.
“The study also found that symmetries in the configuration can either suppress or enhance certain light frequencies,” says Tuovinen, “so the configuration could potentially be used as a switch or amplifier in molecular electronics.”
The molecular quantum pump
The researchers refer to the studied setting as a kind of molecular quantum pump.
“Similar to how the efficiency of the famous Archimedes' screw depends on the tilting angle and the spiral step, the efficiency of molecular quantum pumps depends on the magnitude and phase difference of the driving voltages,” explains Tuovinen.
The study has been published in Nano Letters on 10 July 2024.
####
For more information, please click here
Contacts:
Media Contact
Elina Leskinen
University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto
Office: 50 461 7880
Expert Contact
Riku Tuovinen
University of Jyvaskyla
Cell: +358505730519
Copyright © University of Jyväskylä - Jyväskylän yliopisto
If you have a comment, please Contact us.Issuers of news releases, not 7th Wave, Inc. or Nanotechnology Now, are solely responsible for the accuracy of the content.
| Related Links |
| Related News Press |
News and information
Quantum computer improves AI predictions April 17th, 2026
Flexible sensor gains sensitivity under pressure April 17th, 2026
A reusable chip for particulate matter sensing April 17th, 2026
Detecting vibrational quantum beating in the predissociation dynamics of SF6 using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy April 17th, 2026
Possible Futures
A fundamentally new therapeutic approach to cystic fibrosis: Nanobody repairs cellular defect April 17th, 2026
UC Irvine physicists discover method to reverse ‘quantum scrambling’ : The work addresses the problem of information loss in quantum computing system April 17th, 2026
Molecular Nanotechnology
Scientists push the boundaries of manipulating light at the submicroscopic level March 3rd, 2023
First electric nanomotor made from DNA material: Synthetic rotary motors at the nanoscale perform mechanical work July 22nd, 2022
Nanotech scientists create world's smallest origami bird March 17th, 2021
Chip Technology
A reusable chip for particulate matter sensing April 17th, 2026
Metasurfaces smooth light to boost magnetic sensing precision January 30th, 2026
Discoveries
Quantum computer improves AI predictions April 17th, 2026
Flexible sensor gains sensitivity under pressure April 17th, 2026
A reusable chip for particulate matter sensing April 17th, 2026
Detecting vibrational quantum beating in the predissociation dynamics of SF6 using time-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy April 17th, 2026
Announcements
A fundamentally new therapeutic approach to cystic fibrosis: Nanobody repairs cellular defect April 17th, 2026
UC Irvine physicists discover method to reverse ‘quantum scrambling’ : The work addresses the problem of information loss in quantum computing system April 17th, 2026
Interviews/Book Reviews/Essays/Reports/Podcasts/Journals/White papers/Posters
A fundamentally new therapeutic approach to cystic fibrosis: Nanobody repairs cellular defect April 17th, 2026
UC Irvine physicists discover method to reverse ‘quantum scrambling’ : The work addresses the problem of information loss in quantum computing system April 17th, 2026
|
|
||
|
|
||
| The latest news from around the world, FREE | ||
|
|
||
|
|
||
| Premium Products | ||
|
|
||
|
Only the news you want to read!
Learn More |
||
|
|
||
|
Full-service, expert consulting
Learn More |
||
|
|
||