Renormalization group study of a two-valley system with spin-splitting

Renormalization group equations in a two-valley system with valley-splitting and intervalley scattering are derived in the presence of spin-splitting induced by a parallel magnetic field. The relevant amplitudes in different regimes set by the relative strengths of the spin and valley splittings and the intervalley scattering rate are identified. The range of applicability of the standard formula for the magnetoconductance is discussed

Renormalization group study of intervalley scattering and valley splitting in a two-valley system

Renormalization group equations are derived for the case when both valley splitting and intervalley scattering are present in a two-valley system. A third scaling parameter is shown to be relevant when the two bands are split but otherwise distinct. The existence of this parameter changes the quantitative behavior at finite temperatures, but the qualitative conclusions of the two-parameter theory are shown to be unaffected for realistic choice of parameters

Test of scaling theory in two dimensions in the presence of valley splitting and intervalley scattering in Si-MOSFETs

We show that once the effects of valley splitting and intervalley scattering are incorporated, renormalization group theory consistently describes the metallic phase in silicon metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistors down to the lowest accessible temperatures

Anderson localization from the replica formalism

We study Anderson localization in quasi--one--dimensional disordered wires within the framework of the replica $\sigma$--model. Applying a semiclassical approach (geodesic action plus Gaussian fluctuations) recently introduced within the context of supersymmetry by Lamacraft, Simons and Zirnbauer \cite{LSZ}, we compute the {\em exact} density of transmission matrix eigenvalues of superconducting wires (of symmetry class $C$I.) For the unitary class of metallic systems (class $A$) we are able to obtain the density function, save for its large transmission tail.Comment: 4 pages, 1 figur

Quantum kinetic approach for studying thermal transport in the presence of electron-electron interactions and disorder

A user friendly scheme based on the quantum kinetic equation is developed for studying thermal transport phenomena in the presence of interactions and disorder. We demonstrate that this scheme is suitable for both a systematic perturbative calculation as well as a general analysis. We believe that we present an adequate alternative to the Kubo formula, which for the thermal transport is rather cumbersome.Comment: 30 pages, 16 figure

From Luttinger liquid to Altshuler-Aronov anomaly in multi-channel quantum wires

A crossover theory connecting Altshuler-Aronov electron-electron interaction corrections and Luttinger liquid behavior in quasi-1D disordered conductors has been formulated. Based on an interacting non-linear sigma model, we compute the tunneling density of states and the interaction correction to the conductivity, covering the full crossover.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figures, revised version, accepted by PR

Quantum kinetic approach to the calculation of the Nernst effect

We show that the strong Nernst effect observed recently in amorphous superconducting films far above the critical temperature is caused by the fluctuations of the superconducting order parameter. We employ the quantum kinetic approach for the derivation of the Nernst coefficient. We present here the main steps of the calculation and discuss some subtle issues that we encountered while calculating the Nernst coefficient. In particular, we demonstrate that in the limit T=0 the contribution of the magnetization ensures the vanishing of the Nernst signal in accordance with the third law of thermodynamics. We obtained a striking agreement between our theoretical calculations and the experimental data in a broad region of temperatures and magnetic fields.Comment: 24 pages, 13 figure

Quantum interference and Coulomb interaction in arrays of tunnel junctions

We study the electronic properties of an array of small metallic grains connected by tunnel junctions. Such an array serves as a model for a granular metal. Previous theoretical studies of junction arrays were based on models of quantum dissipation which did not take into account the diffusive motion of electrons within the grains. We demonstrate that these models break down at sufficiently low temperatures: for a correct description of the screening properties of a granular metal at low energies the diffusive nature of the electronic motion within the grains is crucial. We present both a diagrammatic and a functional integral approach to analyse the properties of junction arrays. In particular, a new effective action is obtained which enables us to describe the array at arbitrary temperature. In the low temperature limit, our theory yields the correct, dynamically screened Coulomb interaction of a normal metal, whereas at high temperatures the standard description in terms of quantum dissipation is recovered.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figure

First order superconducting transition near a ferromagnetic quantum critical point

We address the issue of how triplet superconductivity emerges in an electronic system near a ferromagnetic quantum critical point (FQCP). Previous studies found that the superconducting transition is of second order, and Tc is strongly reduced near the FQCP due to pair-breaking effects from thermal spin fluctuations. In contrast, we demonstrate that near the FQCP, the system avoids pair-breaking effects by undergoing a first order transition at a much larger Tc. A second order superconducting transition emerges only at some distance from the FQCP.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure