Project description
Research on molecular quantum machines takes a leap forward
Computer chips have become smaller, cheaper and more powerful over time, pushing back the limits of miniaturisation in the semiconductor industry and operating close to the quantum limit. Despite their potential for novel functionalities and power-saving operation, quantum machines have not advanced at the same pace. The EU-funded MolecQuantumMachines project aims to fabricate single-molecule junctions to unravel the properties of quantum machines at the ultimate limit of miniaturisation. Single-molecule junctions are a versatile test-bed for fundamental studies of electronic transport at the atomic scale. MolecQuantumMachines' work could provide a pathway forward for experimental quantum thermodynamics, revealing the working principles of atomic-scale electromechanical systems, motors, heat pumps and heat converters.
Objective
Electronic devices operating at the quantum limit have recently emerged following the vast miniaturization efforts of the electronics industry. Scientific developments of the past few years demonstrate that we are on the verge of a quantum computing revolution. In contrast, similar advances towards achieving quantum machines are still in their infancy despite the potential for novel functionalities and power saving operation. In the last two decades, single molecule junctions have become a versatile testbed for fundamental studies of electronic transport at the atomic scale. In the proposed work, we intend to use single-molecule junctions as quantum machines.
We will use our expertise in fabricating, analysing, and controlling the structure and functionality of molecular junctions (e.g. Phys. Rev. Lett. (2014), Nat. Mater. (2016), Nature (2018)) to demonstrate and reveal the properties of quantum machines at the ultimate limit of miniaturization. For example, we aim to demonstrate heat pumping by electron-vibration interaction, work to heat conversion in atomic chains, magnetic control of thermopower in chiral molecular junctions, a thermopower diode, and a motor based on a single molecule Archimedean screw.
From the mechanistic point of view, we intent to reveal the unknown to date properties of electron-vibration interaction under temperature gradients, work to heat conversion in atomic and molecular structures, several unexplored phenomena related to heat to electric power conversion, and the effect of current induced force on single molecule motors. This work can open a new pathway for experimental quantum thermodynamics, revealing the working principles of atomic-scale electro-mechanical systems, motors, heat pumps and heat converters.
Fields of science
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectrical engineeringelectric energy
- natural sciencesphysical sciencesthermodynamics
- social sciencespolitical sciencespolitical transitionsrevolutions
- engineering and technologyelectrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineeringelectronic engineeringcomputer hardwarequantum computers
Keywords
Programme(s)
Funding Scheme
ERC-COG - Consolidator GrantHost institution
7610001 Rehovot
Israel