Latha Venkataraman
Research Interest
Summary
We measure fundamental properties of single molecule devices, seeking to understand the interplay of physics, chemistry and engineering at the nanometer scale. The underlying focus of our research is to fabricate single molecule circuits, a molecule attached to two electrodes, with varied functionality, where the circuit structure is defined with atomic precision. We measure how electronic conduction and single bond breaking forces in these devices relate not only to the molecular structure, but also to the metal contacts and linking bonds. Our experiments provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental physics of electron transport, while laying the groundwork for technological advances at the nanometer scale.
Garner, M. H. Li, Y. Chen, T. A. Su, Z. Shangguan, D. W. Paley, T. Liu, F. Ng, He. Li, S. Xiao, C. Nuckolls, L. Venkataraman, G. C. Solomon, Comprehensive suppression of single-molecule conductance using destructive σ-interference, Nature,558, 415–419 (2018).
Gunasekaran, D. Hernangómez-Pérez, I. Davydenko, S. Marder, F. Evers, L. Venkataraman, Near Length-Independent Conductance of Polymethine Molecular Wires, Nano Letters, 18 (10), pp 6387–6391(2018).
Lovat, B. Choi, D.W. Paley, M.L. Steigerwald, L. Venkataraman, X. Roy, Room-temperature current blockade in atomically defined single-cluster junctions, Nature Nano. 12, 1050–1054 (2017).
E-D. Fung, O. Adak, G. Lovat, D. Scarabelli, L. Venkataraman, Too Hot for Photon-Assisted Transport: Hot-Electrons Dominate Conductance Enhancement in Illuminated Single-Molecule Junctions, Nano Letters, 17, 1255−1261 (2017).
Capozzi, J. Xia, O. Adak, E. Dell, Z. Liu, J.C. Taylor, J. B. Neaton, L. Campos and L. Venkataraman, Single-Molecule Diodes with High Rectification Ratios through Environmental Control, Nature Nanotechnology, 10, 522-527 (2015).
J. Dell, B. Capozzi, J. Xia, L. Venkataraman, L. M. Campos, Molecular Length Dictates the Nature of Charge Carriers in Single-Molecule Junctions, Nature Chemistry, 7, 209–214 (2015).
Su, H. Li, M. L. Steigerwald, L. Venkataraman, C. Nuckolls, Stereoelectronic Switching in Single-Molecule Junctions, Nature Chemistry, 7, 215–220 (2015).
V. Aradhya and L. Venkataraman, Single-Molecule Junctions Beyond Electronic Transport, Invited Review, Nature Nanotechnology 8, 399–410 (2013).
V. Aradhya, M. Frei, M.S. Hybertsen, L. Venkataraman, Van der Waals Interactions in Metal-Organic Interfaces at the Single-Molecule Level, Nature Materials, 11, 872-876, (2012).
Z-L Cheng, R. Skouta, H. Vazquez, J. R. Widawsky, S. Schneebeli, W. Chen, M.S. Hybertsen, R.Breslow, L.Venkataraman, In situ Formation of Highly Conducting, Covalent Au-C Contacts for Single Molecule Transport, Nature Nanotechnology, 6, 353-357, (2011).
Venkataraman, J.E. Klare, C. Nuckolls, M.S. Hybertsen and M. L. Steigerwald, Dependence of Single Molecule Junction Conductance on Molecular Conformation, Nature, vol. 442, p904-907, 2006.