Kondo effect in coupled quantum dots with RKKY interaction: Finite temperature and magnetic field effects

We study transport through two quantum dots coupled by an RKKY interaction as a function of temperature and magnetic field. By applying the Numerical Renormalization Group (NRG) method we obtain the transmission and the linear conductance. At zero temperature and magnetic field, we observe a quantum phase transition between the Kondo screened state and a local spin singlet as the RKKY interaction is tuned. Above the critical RKKY coupling the Kondo peak is split. However, we find that both finite temperature and magnetic field restore the Kondo resonance. Our results agree well with recent transport experiments on gold grain quantum dots in the presence of magnetic impurities.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figure

Simultaneous microsurgical spermatic vein ligation and sclerotherapy - A combined procedure for the treatment of recurrent or persistent varicocele

Objectives: Microsurgical ligation as well as antegrade sclerotherapy have been established in varicocele treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a combination of microsurgery. and sclerotherapy can: provide a safe and effective treatment of varicocele recurrence or persistence. Methods. Nine patients with, recurrent or persistent varicoceles were operated by means of the combination method. Under microscopic control varix veins were ligated selectively preserving: lymphatics and arteries. Ectopic veins as a possible source for varicocele persistence or recurrence were also ligated. Finally, an intraoperative venography with subsequent sclerotherapy was, performed through one of the dissected veins. Results. Despite: difficult anatomical situations after previous surgical interventions, the operations were perform, ed successfully without any complications. Clinical controls showed varicocele disappearance without damage of the testis. No varicocele recurrence or persistence was observed. Conclusions. This method combines the advantages of both methods. Precision of the microsurgical technique is combined with velocity of sclerotherapy. Thus, it may represent an Interesting alternative to conventional operation methods especially in the treatment of recurrent or persistent varicoceles. Copyright (C) 2001 S. Karger AG, Basel

Two-stage Kondo effect in a four-electron artificial atom

An artificial atom with four electrons is driven through a singlet-triplet transition by varying the confining potential. In the triplet, a Kondo peak with a narrow dip at drain-source voltage V_ds=0 is observed. The low energy scale V_ds* characterizing the dip is consistent with predictions for the two-stage Kondo effect. The phenomenon is studied as a function of temperature T and magnetic field B, parallel to the two-dimensional electron gas. The low energy scales T* and B* are extracted from the behavior of the zero-bias conductance and are compared to the low energy scale V_ds* obtained from the differential conductance. Good agreement is found between kT* and |g|muB*, but eV_ds* is larger, perhaps because of nonequilibrium effects.Comment: 7 pages, 7 figures. Added labels on Fig. 3f and one referenc

Spectral function of the Anderson impurity model at finite temperatures

Using the functional renormalization group (FRG) and the numerical renormalization group (NRG), we calculate the spectral function of the Anderson impurity model at zero and finite temperatures. In our FRG scheme spin fluctuations are treated non-perturbatively via a suitable Hubbard-Stratonovich field, but vertex corrections are neglected. A comparison with our highly accurate NRG results shows that this FRG scheme gives a quantitatively good description of the spectral line-shape at zero and finite temperatures both in the weak and strong coupling regimes, although at zero temperature the FRG is not able to reproduce the known exponential narrowing of the Kondo resonance at strong coupling.Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures; new references adde

Frequency-dependent transport through a quantum dot in the Kondo regime

We study the AC conductance and equilibrium current fluctuations of a Coulomb blockaded quantum dot. A relation between the equilibrium spectral function and the linear AC conductance is derived which is valid for frequencies well below the charging energy of the quantum dot. Frequency-dependent transport measurements can thus give experimental access to the Kondo peak in the equilibrium spectral function of a quantum dot. We illustrate this in detail for typical experimental parameters using the numerical renormalization group method in combination with the Kubo formalism.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure

Two-stage Kondo effect in side-coupled quantum dots: Renormalized perturbative scaling theory and Numerical Renormalization Group analysis

We study numerically and analytically the dynamical (AC) conductance through a two-dot system, where only one of the dots is coupled to the leads but it is also side-coupled to the other dot through an antiferromagnetic exchange (RKKY) interaction. In this case the RKKY interaction gives rise to a ``two-stage Kondo effect'' where the two spins are screened by two consecutive Kondo effects. We formulate a renormalized scaling theory that captures remarkably well the cross-over from the strongly conductive correlated regime to the low temperature low conductance state. Our analytical formulas agree well with our numerical renormalization group results. The frequency dependent current noise spectrum is also discussed.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Partial Wave Analysis of Scattering with Nonlocal Aharonov-Bohm Effect and Anomalous Cross Section induced by Quantum Interference

Partial wave theory of a three dmensional scattering problem for an arbitray short range potential and a nonlocal Aharonov-Bohm magnetic flux is established. The scattering process of a ``hard shere'' like potential and the magnetic flux is examined. An anomalous total cross section is revealed at the specific quantized magnetic flux at low energy which helps explain the composite fermion and boson model in the fractional quantum Hall effect. Since the nonlocal quantum interference of magnetic flux on the charged particles is universal, the nonlocal effect is expected to appear in quite general potential system and will be useful in understanding some other phenomena in mesoscopic phyiscs.Comment: 6 figure

Level spacings at the metal-insulator transition in the Anderson Hamiltonians and multifractal random matrix ensembles

We consider orthogonal, unitary, and symplectic ensembles of random matrices with (1/a)(ln x)^2 potentials, which obey spectral statistics different from the Wigner-Dyson and are argued to have multifractal eigenstates. If the coefficient $a$ is small, spectral correlations in the bulk are universally governed by a translationally invariant, one-parameter generalization of the sine kernel. We provide analytic expressions for the level spacing distribution functions of this kernel, which are hybrids of the Wigner-Dyson and Poisson distributions. By tuning the single parameter, our results can be excellently fitted to the numerical data for three symmetry classes of the three-dimensional Anderson Hamiltonians at the metal-insulator transition, previously measured by several groups using exact diagonalization.Comment: 12 pages, 8 figures, REVTeX. Additional figure and text on the level number variance, to appear in Phys.Rev.

Kondo effect and spin-active scattering in ferromagnet-superconductor junctions

We study the interplay of superconducting and ferromagnetic correlations on charge transport in different geometries with a focus on both a quantum point contact as well as a quantum dot in the even and the odd state with and without spin-active scattering at the interface. In order to obtain a complete picture of the charge transport we calculate the full counting statistics in all cases and compare the results with experimental data. We show that spin-active scattering is an essential ingredient in the description of quantum point contacts. This holds also for quantum dots in an even charge state whereas it is strongly suppressed in a typical Kondo situation. We explain this feature by the strong asymmetry of the hybridisations with the quantum dot and show how Kondo peak splitting in a magnetic field can be used for spin filtering. For the quantum dot in the even state spin-active scattering allows for an explanation of the experimentally observed mini-gap feature.Comment: 14 pages, 7 figures, accepted by PR

Bark beetle population dynamics in the Anthropocene: Challenges and solutions

Tree-killing bark beetles are the most economically important insects in conifer forests worldwide. However, despite N200 years of research, the drivers of population eruptions and crashes are still not fully understood and the existing knowledge is thus insufficient to face the challenges posed by the Anthropocene. We critically analyze potential biotic and abiotic drivers of population dynamics of an exemplary species, the European spruce bark beetle (ESBB) (Ips typographus) and present a multivariate approach that integrates the many drivers governing this bark beetle system. We call for hypothesis-driven, large-scale collaborative research efforts to improve our understanding of the population dynamics of this and other bark beetle pests. Our approach can serve as a blueprint for tackling other eruptive forest insects