Nonlinear thermoelectric transport in single-molecule junctions: the effect of electron-phonon interactions

Abstract

In the present work, we theoretically analyze the steady-state thermoelectric transport through a single-molecule junction with a vibrating bridge. Thermally induced charge current in the system is explored using a nonequilibrium Green's functions formalism. We study combined effects of Coulomb interactions between charge carriers on the bridge and electron-phonon interactions on the thermocurrent beyond the linear response regime. It is shown that electron-vibron interactions may significantly affect both magnitude and direction of the thermocurrent, and vibrational signatures may appear.