We explore theoretically the electroluminescence of single molecules. We adopt a local-electrode framework that is appropriate for scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) experiments where electroluminescence originates from individual molecules of moderate size on complex substrates: Couplings between the STM tip and molecule and between the molecule and multiple substrate sites are treated on the same footing as local electrodes contacting the molecule. Electron flow is modeled with the Lippmann-Schwinger Green’s function scattering technique. The evolution of the electronic energy levels of the molecule under bias is modeled assuming the total charge of the molecule to be invariant, consistent with Coulomb blockade considerations, but the electronic occupations of the molecular highest occupied molecular orbital and lowest unoccupied molecular orbital levels vary with changing bias. The photon-emission rate is calculated using Fermi’s golden rule. We apply this theoretical approach to the STM/Zn-etioporphyrin/${\text{Al}}_2{\text{O}}_3/\text{NiAl}\left(110\right)$ system and simulate various configurations of coupling strength between the molecule and substrate. We compare our results to the experimental observations of Qiu et al. [Science 299, 542 (2003)] for this system and find that our model provides a comprehensive explanation of a multitude of previously unexplained observations. These include the different types of current-voltage characteristics (CVCs) that are observed experimentally, the observed association of electroluminescence with some CVCs and not others, and key properties of the observed photon spectra. Theoretical predictions are presented for further single-molecule electroluminescence experiments.

• Received 9 May 2008

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.78.125107