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

Abstract

In this paper, we theoretically analyze steady-state thermoelectric transport through a single-molecule junction with a vibrating bridge. The thermally induced charge current in the system is explored using a nonequilibrium Green function formalism. We study the 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 the magnitude and the direction of the thermocurrent, and vibrational signatures may appear.