Quantum interference in polycyclic hydrocarbon molecular wires

The construction of devices based on molecular components depends upon the development of molecular wires with adaptable current-voltage characteristics. Here, we report that quantum interference effects could lead to substantial differences in conductance in molecular wires which include some simple polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). For molecular wires containing a single benzene, anthracene or tetracene molecule a large peak appears in the electron transmission probability spectrum at an energy just above the lowest unoccupied orbital (LUMO). For a molecular wire containing a single naphthalene molecule, however, this same peak essentially vanishes. Furthermore, the peak can be re-established by altering the attachment points of the molecular leads to the naphthalene molecule. A breakdown of the individual terms contributing the relevant peak confirms that these results are in fact due to quantum interference effects