Electron transport through a gold-bisthiolterthiophene-gold junction

Abstract : Molecules of bisthiolterthiophene have been adsorbed on the two facing gold electrodes of a mechanically controllable break junction in order to form metal-molecule(s)-metal junctions. Current-voltage (I-V) characteristics have been recorded at room temperature. Zero bias conductances were measured in the 10-100 nS range and different kinds of non-linear I-V curves with step-like features were reproducibly obtained. A scattering model is used to interpret the experimental conductances as a function of the metal-molecule coupling strength.