Electrically contacted molecules are considered to be the ultimate current switches. Their typical dimensions of about 1 nm would allow to design the smallest possible transistor units. However, contrary to solid state circuitry their conductance properties can be decisively influenced by the harmonic degrees of freedom (local phonons). Surprisingly, there are parameter regimes, in which the presence of such seemingly disturbing effects might in fact become an advantage making such a device intrinsically bistable. We discuss these possibilities using analytical as well as numerical techniques and make predictions for the transport properties of contacted molecules in the relevant regimes and make contact to such fundamental multi-particle phenomena as Kondo effect.  

 
References:  

- J. Klatt, L. Mühlbacher, and A. Komnik, Phys. Rev. B 91, 155306 (2015)  

- K.F. Albrecht, H. Wang, L. Mühlbacher, M. Thoss, and A. Komnik, Phys. Rev. B 86, 081412(R) (2012)  

- S. Maier, T. L. Schmidt, and A. Komnik, Phys. Rev. B 83, 085401 (2011)