ABSTRACT
Molecular electronics has been frustrated by the lack of refined experimental control of the measured electron transport phenomena in molecular junctions. This chapter is intended to introduce the detailed experimental modulations and controls of the electron transport properties in single-molecule break junctions including the single-molecule conductance and current-voltage (I-V) characteristics. These experimental controls and modulations incorporate the mechanical modification of measurement process using single-molecule break junction technique, the manipulation of molecular structures and the molecule-electrode interfaces and the controls of measurement environment. Surrounding this core theme, some associated topics are also introduced including multiple experimental approaches prior to single-molecule break
junction technique used to determine single-molecule conductance, studied molecular species and the development of data analysis methods. In general, we hope to offer readers a scope about how the electron transport properties of single-molecule break junction can be modulated and controlled in order to gain deep insight into the nature of molecular devices at the nanoscale level.
