Abstract:
Further, miniaturization of semiconductor-based electronics and,
consequently, Moore's law of increase in computational power
is reaching physical, technological and cost- limitations in
the next 10-15 years. An alternative, theoretically predicted
several decades ago, is found in self-assembled molecular-size
devices, containing single-molecule components, providing a basis
for ultra-dense, ultra-fast sensors, detectors, and information
processing devices. Having in mind the relatively high cost of
the relevant experiments and their high level of statistical
uncertainty, the predictive power of theoretical investigation
and its ability to explain details not visible in measurements
is a necessary ingredient for progress in molecular electronics.
However, characteristic of the development in this field, there
has been a disconnect between experiment and theory. Significant
multidisciplinary efforts in both theory and experiment are needed
to reach a detailed understanding of the function of molecular
devices. This talk highlights the important role of synergy of
solid state, atomic physics and quantum chemistry in these efforts,
as well as points to some burning problems in the theory which illustrate
this
role.
©Andreas Voigt