Current through single conjugated molecules: Calculations versus measurements

We use density functional theory based nonequilibrium Green's function to calculate the current through the different rodlike molecules at the finite temperatures self-consistently, which was compared to the experimental measurements presented by Reichert [Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 176804 (2002)] and by Mayor [Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. 42, 5834 (2003)], respectively. Our results agree with the measurements very well, especially for the bias around ±1.0 V. The investigation of the topological effect for the symmetrical molecule reveals the fact that the para position compound provides a considerably larger conductance than the meta one.