Multi-Control Over Graphene-Molecule Hetereo-Junctions

Abstract

The vertical configuration is a powerful tool recently developed experimentally to investigate field effects in quasi 2D systems. Prototype graphene-based vertical tunneling transistors can achieve an extraordinary control over current density utilizing gate voltages. In this work we study theoretically vertical tunneling junctions that consist of a monolayer of photo-switchable aryl-azobenzene molecules of sandwiched between two sheets of graphene. Azobenzene molecules transform between {\it trans} and {\it cis} conformations upon photoexcitation, thus adding a second knob that enhances control over physical properties of the junction. Using first-principles methods within the density functional framework, we perform simulations with the inclusion of field effects for both {\it trans} and {\it cis} configurations. We find that the interference of interface states resulting from molecule-graphene interactions at the Fermi energy introduces a dual-peak pattern in the transmission functions and dominates the transport properties of gate junctions, shedding new light on interfacial processes.