Electron-phonon interaction and full counting statistics in molecular junctions

R. Avriller, A. Levy Yeyati

Published 2009-03-05, updated 2009-07-27Version 2

The full counting statistics of a molecular level weakly interacting with a local phonon mode is derived. We find an analytic formula that gives the behavior of arbitrary irreducible moments of the distribution upon phonon excitation. The underlying competition between quasi-elastic and inelastic processes results in the formation of domains in parameter space characterized by a given sign in the jump of the irreducible moments. In the limit of perfect transmission, the corresponding distribution is distorted from Gaussian statistics for electrons to Poissonian transfer of holes above the inelastic threshold.