Optical properties of molecular heterojunctions

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A molecular heterojunction combines the new technology of Molecular Electronics with the existing semiconductor devices at the core of the microelectronics industry. We propose to fabricate and study such heterojunctions, in particular their interactions with light. Using high performance optical spectroscopy, we will monitor the structure and dynamics of working molecular junctions with optical absorption in the visible and infrared regions, and with Raman scattering. For example, the reflectivity of a molecular junction is determined by the optical properties of the molecule and semiconductor, and light may be used to probe these properties during junction operation. The results provide information about structural changes in the junction in response to an applied voltage, and direct insight into the mechanism of junction function. In addition, changes in light reflection or transmission may be used in computer and TV displays, and in devices which provide an interface between electronic and optical information. Potential applications of molecular heterojunctions include data storage and processing, fiber optic communications, high performance computing, and inexpensive, efficient microelectronics.