Physics – Condensed Matter – Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Scientific paper
2003-02-20
Nano Lett. Vol.3, 1691 (2003)
Physics
Condensed Matter
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
4 pages, 4figures
Scientific paper
We report first-principles calculations of local heating in nanoscale junctions formed by a single molecule and a gold point contact. Due to a larger heat dissipation, the single molecule heats up less than the gold point contact. We also find, at zero temperature, a threshold bias $V_{onset}$ of about 6 mV and 11 mV for the molecule and the point contact, respectively, is required to excite the smallest vibrational mode and generate heat. The latter estimate is in very good agreement with recent experimental results on the same system. At a given external bias $V$ below $V_{onset}$, heating becomes noticeable when the background temperature is on the order of $\sim e(V_{onset}-V)/k_{B}$. Above $V_{onset}$, local heating increases dramatically with increasing bias but is also considerably suppressed by thermal dissipation into the electrodes. The results provide a microscopic picture of current-induced heat generation in atomic-scale structures.
Chen Yu-Chang
Ventra Missimiliano Di
Zwolak Michael
No associations
LandOfFree
Theory of local heating in nanoscale conductors does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.
If you have personal experience with Theory of local heating in nanoscale conductors, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Theory of local heating in nanoscale conductors will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-723857