Professor Latha Venkataraman

Albert J. Moscowitz Memorial Lecture
Professor Latha Venkataraman
Columbia University
The Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics
Host: Professor Aaron Massari

Abstract

Physics and Chemistry of Single-Molecule Circuits

Over the past decade, there has been tremendous progress in the measurement, modeling and understanding of structure-function relationships in single molecule circuits. Experimental techniques for reliable and reproducible single molecule junction measurements have led, in part, to this progress. In particular, the scanning tunneling microscope-based break-junction technique has enabled rapid, sequential measurement of large numbers of nanoscale junctions allowing a statistical analysis to readily distinguish reproducible characteristics. Although the break-junction technique is mostly used to measure electronic properties of single-molecule circuits, in this talk, I will demonstrate its versatile uses to understand both physical and chemical phenomena with single-molecule precision. I will discuss some recent experimental and analysis aimed at understanding quantum interference in single-molecule junctions. I will then show an example where molecular structure can be designed to utilize interference effects to create a highly non-linear device. Finally, I will discuss some new areas of research that we are focusing on utilizing the scanning tunneling microscope-based break-junction platform.

Research

We measure fundamental properties of single molecule devices, seeking to understand the interplay of physics, chemistry and engineering at the nanometer scale. The underlying focus of our research is to fabricate single molecule circuits, a molecule attached to two electrodes, with varied functionality, where the circuit structure is defined with atomic precision. We measure how electronic conduction and single bond breaking forces in these devices relate not only to the molecular structure, but also to the metal contacts and linking bonds. Our experiments provide a deeper understanding of the fundamental physics of electron transport, while laying the groundwork for technological advances at the nanometer scale.

Professor Latha Venkataraman

Latha Venkataraman received her Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1993 and Ph. D. in 1999. She joined Columbia University as a research scientist in 2003. She started her independent career as an assistant professor in the Department of Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics at Columbia University in 2007, was promoted to Associate Professor with tenure in 2012 and Professor in 2016.

Latha Venkataraman is currently Lawrence Gussman Professor of Applied Physics and Professor of Chemistry. Latha Venkataraman has been serving as Vice Provost for Faculty Affairs since January 2019. Prominent awards she has received include the National Science Foundation Career Award, Packard Fellowship for Science and Engineering, and the Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship in Chemistry. Latha Venkataraman currently serves on the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of the American Chemical Society and the Advisory Board of Chemical Science.

Start date
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, 9:45 a.m.
End date
Thursday, Nov. 4, 2021, 11 a.m.
Location

This seminar will be presented in person and live-streamed
331 Smith Hall
Zoom Link

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