Signatures of Quantum Interference Effects on Charge Transport Through a Single Benzene Ring

Molecular electronics: Charge transport through a single benzene ring is studied using the mechanically controlled break-junction technique. The low-bias conductance for a meta-coupled benzene ring is more than an order of magnitude smaller than that of a para-coupled benzene ring. This difference can be explained by a destructive quantum interference effects in the meta-coupled benzene (see picture).