LIGHT-MATTER INTERACTIONS IN MOLECULAR TUNNEL JUNCTIONS

Abstract

Light-matter interactions in molecular tunnel junctions are complex since it includes mutual interactions between electrons, plasmons and photons. This Thesis focuses on two basic aspects, one is light emission in response to external potential bias, and conversely, photocurrent generation in response to external light illumination. By introducing different molecules inside the junctions, the roles of molecules are explored, for example, tuning the elastic and inelastic tunneling probability and thus light emission efficiency; stabilizing the highly conductive junction to get above-threshold light emission; tuning the interfacial barrier or nonlinear characteristics of tunneling process and thus photocurrent generation.