STM-Induced Photon Emission from Single Molecules

Abstract

The investigation of single quantum structures lies at the frontier of modern chemistry, physics, and nanoelectronics. A single molecule is a simple quantum system for studying electron-electron and electron-photon interactions and other quantum mechanical effects. The quantum nature of molecular systems makes single-molecule studies important not only for a fundamental understanding of basic phenomena underlying bulk molecular sample behavior, such as in organic electronics, but also for shaping emerging concepts and principles of molecular nanotechnology. For instance, over the last decade, organic thin film science has been developing at an unprecedented pace with attractive technological applications in organic light-emitting diodes, dye lasers, organic transistors, liquid-crystal displays, and photovoltaic cells. However, even with these technological breakthroughs, there remain deep questions about the underlying physics of charge and exciton transport, energy absorption-transfer-decay processes, optical interactions, and the nature of electronic states within these bulk molecular materials. Molecular-scale investigations will clarify the fundamental mechanisms of these phenomena and processes and thus offer guidelines for designing better molecular materials and devices.