3,302 research outputs found
Positive Correlations in Tunneling through coupled Quantum Dots
Due to the Fermi-Dirac statistics of electrons the temporal correlations of
tunneling events in a double barrier setup are typically negative. Here, we
investigate the shot noise behavior of a system of two capacitively coupled
quantum dot states by means of a Master equation model. In an asymmetric setup
positive correlations in the tunneling current can arise due to the bunching of
tunneling events. The underlying mechanism will be discussed in detail in terms
of the current-current correlation function and the frequency-dependent Fano
factor.Comment: HCIS 13 in Moden
Increasing thermoelectric performance using coherent transport
We show that coherent electron transport through zero-dimensional systems can
be used to tailor the shape of the system's transmission function. This
quantum-engineering approach can be used to enhance the performance of quantum
dots or molecules in thermal-to-electric power conversion. Specifically, we
show that electron interference in a two-level system can substantially improve
the maximum thermoelectric power and the efficiency at maximum power by
suppressing parasitic charge flow near the Fermi energy, and by reducing
electronic heat conduction. We discuss possible realizations of this approach
in molecular junctions or quantum dots.Comment: 4+ pages, 4 figure
Nonlinear response of quantum cascade structures
The gain spectrum of a terahertz quantum cascade laser is analysed by a non
equilibrium Green's functions approach. Higher harmonics of the response
function were retrievable, providing a way to approach nonlinear phenomena in
quantum cascade lasers theoretically. Gain is simulated under operation
conditions and results are presented both for linear response and strong laser
fields. An iterative way of reconstructing the field strength inside the laser
cavity at lasing conditions is described using a measured value of the level of
the losses of the studied system. Comparison with recent experimental data from
time-domain-spectroscopy indicates that the experimental situation is beyond
linear response.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures included in text, to appear in Applied Physics
Letter
Nonequilibrium Green's function theory for transport and gain properties of quantum cascade structures
The transport and gain properties of quantum cascade (QC) structures are
investigated using a nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) theory which
includes quantum effects beyond a Boltzmann transport description. In the NGF
theory, we include interface roughness, impurity, and electron-phonon
scattering processes within a self-consistent Born approximation, and
electron-electron scattering in a mean-field approximation. With this theory we
obtain a description of the nonequilibrium stationary state of QC structures
under an applied bias, and hence we determine transport properties, such as the
current-voltage characteristic of these structures. We define two contributions
to the current, one contribution driven by the scattering-free part of the
Hamiltonian, and the other driven by the scattering Hamiltonian. We find that
the dominant part of the current in these structures, in contrast to simple
superlattice structures, is governed mainly by the scattering Hamiltonian. In
addition, by considering the linear response of the stationary state of the
structure to an applied optical field, we determine the linear susceptibility,
and hence the gain or absorption spectra of the structure. A comparison of the
spectra obtained from the more rigorous NGF theory with simpler models shows
that the spectra tend to be offset to higher values in the simpler theories.Comment: 44 pages, 16 figures, appearing in Physical Review B Dec 200
Tunneling through nanosystems: Combining broadening with many-particle states
We suggest a new approach for transport through finite systems based on the
Liouville equation. By working in a basis of many-particle states for the
finite system, Coulomb interactions are taken fully into account and correlated
transitions by up to two different contact states are included. This latter
extends standard rate equation models by including level-broadening effects.
The main result of the paper is a general expression for the elements of the
density matrix of the finite size system, which can be applied whenever the
eigenstates and the couplings to the leads are known. The approach works for
arbitrary bias and for temperatures above the Kondo temperature. We apply the
approach to standard models and good agreement with other methods in their
respective regime of validity is found.Comment: 9 pages, 5 figures included to tex
Gain without inversion in a biased superlattice
Intersubband transitions in a superlattice under homogeneous electric field
is studied within the tight-binding approximation. Since the levels are
equi-populated, the non-zero response appears beyond the Born approximation.
Calculations are performed in the resonant approximation with scattering
processes exactly taken into account. The absorption coefficient is equal zero
for the resonant excitation while a negative absorption (gain without
inversion) takes place below the resonance. A detectable gain in the THz
spectral region is obtained for the low-doped -based superlattice and
spectral dependencies are analyzed taking into account the interplay between
homogeneous and inhomogeneous mechanisms of broadening.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure
Signatures of Wigner Localization in Epitaxially Grown Nanowires
It was predicted by Wigner in 1934 that the electron gas will undergo a
transition to a crystallized state when its density is very low. Whereas
significant progress has been made towards the detection of electronic Wigner
states, their clear and direct experimental verification still remains a
challenge. Here we address signatures of Wigner molecule formation in the
transport properties of InSb nanowire quantum dot systems, where a few
electrons may form localized states depending on the size of the dot (i.e. the
electron density). By a configuration interaction approach combined with an
appropriate transport formalism, we are able to predict the transport
properties of these systems, in excellent agreement with experimental data. We
identify specific signatures of Wigner state formation, such as the strong
suppression of the antiferromagnetic coupling, and are able to detect the onset
of Wigner localization, both experimentally and theoretically, by studying
different dot sizes.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Tissue guidance without filopodia
Filopodia are highly dynamic, rod-like protrusions that are found in abundance at the leading edge of migrating cells such as endothelial tip cells and at axonal growth cones of developing neurons. One proposed function of filopodia is that of an environmental probe, which serves to sense guidance cues during neuronal pathfinding and blood vessel patterning. However, recent studies show that tissue guidance occurs unhindered in the absence of filopodia, suggesting a dispensability of filopodia in this process. Here, we discuss evidence that support as well as dispute the role of filopodia in guiding the formation of stereotypic neuronal and blood vessel patterns
Current-voltage characteristic and stability in resonant-tunneling n-doped semiconductor superlattices
We review the occurrence of electric-field domains in doped superlattices
within a discrete drift model. A complete analysis of the construction and
stability of stationary field profiles having two domains is carried out. As a
consequence, we can provide a simple analytical estimation for the doping
density above which stable stable domains occur. This bound may be useful for
the design of superlattices exhibiting self-sustained current oscillations.
Furthermore we explain why stable domains occur in superlattices in contrast to
the usual Gunn diode.Comment: Tex file and 3 postscript figure
On apparent breaking the second law of thermodynamics in quantum transport studies
We consider a model for stationary electronic transport through a
one-dimensional chain of two leads attached to a perturbed central region
(quantum dot) in the regime where the theory proposed recently by Capek for a
similar model of phonon transport predicts the striking phenomenon of a
permanent current between the leads. This result based on a rigorous but
asymptotic Davies theory is at variance with the zero current yielded by direct
transport calculations which can be carried out in the present model. We find
the permanent current to be within the error of the asymptotic expansion for
finite couplings, and identify cancelling terms of the same order.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure
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