arXiv subjects

Ferry Prins

Publications and source records attributed to Ferry Prins.

23 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

arXiv2012

Fast and efficient photodetection in nanoscale quantum-dot junctions

We report on a photodetector in which colloidal quantum-dots directly bridge nanometer-spaced electrodes. Unlike in conventional quantum-dot thin film photodetectors, charge mobility no longer plays a role in our quantum-dot junctions as charge extraction requires only two individual tunnel events. We find an efficient photoconductive gain mechanism with external quantum-efficiencies of 38 electrons-per-photon in combination with response times faster than 300 ns. This compact device-architecture may open up new routes for improved photodetector performance in which efficiency and bandwidth do not go at the cost of one another.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2012

Room-temperature gating of molecular junctions using few-layer graphene nanogap electrodes

We report on a method to fabricate and measure gateable molecular junctions which are stable at room temperature. The devices are made by depositing molecules inside a few-layer graphene nanogap, formed by feedback controlled electroburning. The gaps have separations on the order of 1-2 nm as estimated from a Simmons model for tunneling. The molecular junctions display gateable IV-characteristics at room temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Charge Transport in a Zn-Porphyrin single molecule junction

We have investigated charge transport in ZnTPPdT-Pyr molecular junctions using the lithographic MCBJ technique at room temperature and cryogenic temperature (6K). We combined low-bias statistical measurements with spectroscopy of the molecular levels using I(V) characteristics. This combination allows us to characterize the transport in a molecular junction in detail. This complex molecule can form different junction configurations, which is observed in trace histograms and in current-voltage (I(V)) measurements. Both methods show that multiple stable single-molecule junction configurations can be obtained by modulating the inter-electrode distance. In addition we demonstrate that different ZnTPPdT-Pyr junction configurations can lead to completely different spectroscopic features with the same conductance values. We show that statistical low-bias conductance measurements should be interpreted with care, and that the combination with I(V) spectroscopy represents an essential tool for a more detailed characterization of the charge transport in a single molecule.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Influence of chemical structure on the stability and the conductance of porphyrin single-molecule junctions

Porphyrin molecules can form stable single molecule junctions without anchoring groups. Adding thiol end groups and pyridine axial groups yields more stable junctions with an increased spread in low-bias conductance. This is a result of different bridging geometries during breaking, the stability of which is demonstrated in time-dependent conductance measurements. This is in strong contrast with rod like molecules which show one preferential binding geometry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

An All-Electric Single-Molecule Motor

Many types of molecular motors have been proposed and synthesized in recent years, displaying different kinds of motion, and fueled by different driving forces such as light, heat, or chemical reactions. We propose a new type of molecular motor based on electric field actuation and electric current detection of the rotational motion of a molecular dipole embedded in a three-terminal single-molecule device. The key aspect of this all-electronic design is the conjugated backbone of the molecule, which simultaneously provides the potential landscape of the rotor orientation and a real-time measure of that orientation through the modulation of the conductivity. Using quantum chemistry calculations, we show that this approach provides full control over the speed and continuity of motion, thereby combining electrical and mechanical control at the molecular level over a wide range of temperatures. Moreover, chemistry can be used to change all key parameters of the device, enabling a variety of new experiments on molecular motors.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗