Harnessing quantum properties to create single-molecule devices

Scientists at Columbia University and the University of Glasgow have discovered a new chemical design principle for exploiting destructive quantum interference. The scientists used their approach to create a six-nanometer single-molecule switch in which the on-state current is more than 10,000 times greater than the off-state current. They demonstrated that this approach can be used to produce stable and reproducible single-molecule switches at room temperature that can carry currents exceeding 0.1 microamp in the on state.