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Thesis
Molecular electronic systems: computational solutions to quantum mechanical problems
Master of Science (M.S.), Drexel University
Dec 2005
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.17918/etd-614
Abstract
Every generation has its technological buzzwords - technology that promises to revolutionize every aspect of our lives. The buzzword of the early 21st century is nanotechnology. This all-encompassing term spans a spectrum from the familiar carbon nanotubes to the less familiar molecular shuttles, particularly catenanes and rotaxanes [1-6]. These nano-structures appear to hold a lot of promise because of their potential use in both electronic and mechanical nanodevices. In fact, the latter are topologically analogous to mechanical machines, i.e. they have moving parts. There are a number of difficulties that arise in the course of studying molecular electronic systems. This thesis addresses the following problems:1. Finding preferred low-energy conformations of low molecular-weight conjugated polymers.2. Determining the quantum-mechanical eigenstates associated with the shuttling motion of a rotaxane molecular switch. The first problem has applications to the study of thin films being considered for use as high-density data storage media (Chapter 1). The second problem relates to the study of molecular shuttles that may one day see use as mechanical switches or single-molecule transistors (Chapter 2).
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Details
- Title
- Molecular electronic systems
- Creators
- Ari Benjamin Silver - DU
- Contributors
- Karl Sohlberg (Advisor) - Drexel University (1970-)
- Awarding Institution
- Drexel University
- Degree Awarded
- Master of Science (M.S.)
- Publisher
- Drexel University; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- Resource Type
- Thesis
- Language
- English
- Academic Unit
- College of Arts and Sciences; Physics; Drexel University
- Other Identifier
- 614; 991014632689604721