A potential interconnection method in molecular electronics

A method to electrically connect molecular devices is proposed, which has the potential to develop into an interconnection technology for 3-dimensional molecular electronic circuits. The method is based on electric-bias-induced polarization and electric-pulse-induced chemical reactions. Two molecules to be connected are oppositely biased to induce opposite charges in them. The opposite charges will create electrostatic attraction that pulls together or aligns the two molecules. An electric pulse is then applied across the two molecules to trigger a chemical linking reaction between them. The electric pulse overcomes the activation energy for such a reaction. Chemical linking reactions to produce conjugated molecular chains are proposed for several conjugated molecules, such as phenylene, ethylene, and acetylene based molecules, with different end groups, such as phenyl and acetyl groups. Applications of this method in assembling 3-terminal molecular devices and 3-dimesional molecular electronic circuits are speculated. Major challenges in realizing this interconnection method are also outlined.