Local Heating in Metal−Molecule−Metal Junctions

We report a technique that can be utilized as a nanoscale thermometer and its application to metal−molecule−metal junctions at room temperatures. We find that a molecular junction heats up to 463 K at 1 V. We also revealed an onset bias of ∼0.04 V for heat generation via electron−phonon scattering by examining inelastic electron tunneling spectroscopy. The present results suggest the importance of attaining an optimal thermal link at molecule−electrode interfaces for providing practically sufficient electrical durability.