title: Experimental evidence for quantum interference and vibrationally induced decoherence in single-molecule junctions.
abstract: We analyze quantum interference and decoherence effects in single-molecule junctions both experimentally and theoretically by means of the mechanically controlled break junction technique and density-functional theory. We consider the case where interference is provided by overlapping quasidegenerate states. Decoherence mechanisms arising from electronic-vibrational coupling strongly affect the electrical current flowing through a single-molecule contact and can be controlled by temperature variation. Our findings underline the universal relevance of vibrations for understanding charge transport through molecular junctions.
authors.affiliation: Lehrstuhl für Angewandte Physik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Germany.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ballmann
authors.forename: Rainer
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Härtle
authors.forename: Pedro B
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Coto
authors.forename: Mark
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elbing
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mayor
authors.forename: Martin R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Bryce
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Thoss
authors.forename: Heiko B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Weber