Resonance conductance, ubiquitous in molecular hetero-junctions and in STM surface experiments, is often inelastic; in the course of the tunneling event, electron energy is channeled into vibrational modes and triggers molecular dynamics. The qualitative physics underlying current-driven resonance-mediated dynamics in molecular electronics is simple and general. Equilibrium displacement between the initial and resonant states produces a nonstationary superposition in the nuclear subspace that evolves during the resonance lifetime. Upon electronic relaxation the system is internally excited and interesting dynamics is likely to ensue.<br/><br/>While the physics underlying resonant inelastic current is very general, the single-molecule STM and molecular heterojunction environments open unique and fascinating opportunities. The former introduces the possibility of determining dynamical properties through the combination of observations with a quantum mechanical theory. The latter introduces the possibility of developing individually-driven molecular machines, and new means of manipulating the conductivity of molecular scale devices.<br/><br/>In the talk I will discuss the qualitative physics underlying current-driven surface phenomena, mention the theory we developed to explore these dynamics, and describe the results of recent and ongoing research, focusing on a series of surprising observations of STM-triggered phenomena on silicon and graphene surfaces. Before concluding, I will sketch several of our favorite dreams in these areas.

Current-driven dynamics in molecular-scale electronics

2019 Spring National Meeting

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