Zero-bias conductance in carbon nanotube quantum dots

We present numerical renormalization group calculations for the zero-bias conductance of quantum dots made from semiconducting carbon nanotubes. These explain and reproduce the thermal evolution of the conductance for different groups of orbitals, as the dot-lead tunnel coupling is varied and the system evolves from correlated Kondo behavior to more weakly correlated regimes. For integer fillings $N=1,2,3$ of an SU(4) model, we find universal scaling behavior of the conductance that is distinct from the standard SU(2) universal conductance, and concurs quantitatively with experiment. Our results also agree qualitatively with experimental differential conductance maps.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Stepwise Self-Assembly of DNA Tile Lattices Using dsDNA Bridges

The simple helical motif of double-strand DNA (dsDNA) has typically been judged to be uninteresting for assembly in DNA-based nanotechnology applications. In this letter, we demonstrate construction of superstructures consisting of heterogeneous DNA motifs using dsDNA in conjunction with more complex, cross-tile building blocks. Incorporation of dsDNA bridges in stepwise assembly processes can be used for controlling length and directionality of superstructures and is analogous to the “reprogramming” of sticky-ends displayed on the DNA tiles. Two distinct self-assembled DNA lattices, fixed-size nanoarrays, and extended 2D crystals of nanotracks with nanobridges, are constructed and visualized by high-resolution, liquid-phase atomic force microscopy

Loss and decoherence at the quantum Hall - superconductor interface

High quality type-II superconducting contacts have recently been developed to a variety of 2D systems, allowing one to explore the superconducting proximity in the quantum Hall (QH) regime. Inducing superconducting correlations into a chiral system has long been viewed as a route for creating exotic topological states and excitations. However, it appears that before these exciting predictions could be realized, one should develop a better understanding of the limitations imposed by the physics of real materials. Here, we perform a systematic study of Andreev conversion at the interface between a superconductor and graphene in the QH regime. We find that the probability of Andreev conversion of electrons to holes follows an unexpected but clear trend: the dependencies on temperature and magnetic field are nearly decoupled. We discuss these trends and the role of the superconducting vortices, whose normal cores could both absorb and dephase the individual electrons in a QH edge. Our study may pave the road to engineering future generation of hybrid devices for exploiting superconductivity proximity in chiral channels

Dynamical Stabilization of Multiplet Supercurrents in Multi-terminal Josephson Junctions

The dynamical properties of multi-terminal Josephson junctions have recently attracted interest, driven by the promise of new insights into synthetic topological phases of matter and Floquet states. This effort has culminated in the discovery of Cooper multiplets, in which the splitting of a Cooper pair is enabled via a series of Andreev reflections that entangle four (or more) electrons. In this text, we show conclusively that multiplet resonances can also emerge as a consequence of the three terminal circuit model. The supercurrent appears due to the correlated phase dynamics at values that correspond to the multiplet condition $nV_1 = -mV_2$ of applied bias. The emergence of multiplet resonances is seen in i) a nanofabricated three-terminal graphene Josephson junction, ii) an analog three terminal Josephson junction circuit, and iii) a circuit simulation. The mechanism which stabilizes the state of the system under those conditions is purely dynamical, and a close analog to Kapitza's inverted pendulum problem. We describe parameter considerations that best optimize the detection of the multiplet lines both for design of future devices. Further, these supercurrents have a classically robust $\cos2\phi$ energy contribution, which can be used to engineer qubits based on higher harmonics

Graphene-based quantum Hall interferometer with self-aligned side gates

The vanishing band gap of graphene has long presented challenges for fabricating high-quality quantum point contacts (QPCs) -- the partially transparent p-n interfaces introduced by conventional split-gates tend to short the QPC. This complication has hindered the fabrication of graphene quantum Hall Fabry-P\'erot interferometers, until recent advances have allowed split-gate QPCs to operate utilizing the highly resistive $\nu=0$ state. Here, we present a simple recipe to fabricate QPCs by etching a narrow trench in the graphene sheet to separate the conducting channel from self-aligned graphene side gates. We demonstrate operation of the individual QPCs in the quantum Hall regime, and further utilize these QPCs to create and study a quantum Hall interferometer