688 research outputs found
Quantum criticality in Kondo quantum dot coupled to helical edge states of interacting 2D topological insulators
We investigate theoretically the quantum phase transition (QPT) between the
one-channel Kondo (1CK) and two-channel Kondo (2CK) fixed points in a quantum
dot coupled to helical edge states of interacting 2D topological insulators
(2DTI) with Luttinger parameter . The model has been studied in Ref. 21,
and was mapped onto an anisotropic two-channel Kondo model via bosonization.
For K<1, the strong coupling 2CK fixed point was argued to be stable for
infinitesimally weak tunnelings between dot and the 2DTI based on a simple
scaling dimensional analysis[21]. We re-examine this model beyond the bare
scaling dimension analysis via a 1-loop renormalization group (RG) approach
combined with bosonization and re-fermionization techniques near weak-coupling
and strong-coupling (2CK) fixed points. We find for K -->1 that the 2CK fixed
point can be unstable towards the 1CK fixed point and the system may undergo a
quantum phase transition between 1CK and 2CK fixed points. The QPT in our model
comes as a result of the combined Kondo and the helical Luttinger physics in
2DTI, and it serves as the first example of the 1CK-2CK QPT that is accessible
by the controlled RG approach. We extract quantum critical and crossover
behaviors from various thermodynamical quantities near the transition. Our
results are robust against particle-hole asymmetry for 1/2<K<1.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figures, more details added, typos corrected, revised
Sec. IV, V, Appendix A and
Tunable few electron quantum dots in InAs nanowires
Quantum dots realized in InAs are versatile systems to study the effect of
spin-orbit interaction on the spin coherence, as well as the possibility to
manipulate single spins using an electric field. We present transport
measurements on quantum dots realized in InAs nanowires. Lithographically
defined top-gates are used to locally deplete the nanowire and to form
tunneling barriers. By using three gates, we can form either single quantum
dots, or two quantum dots in series along the nanowire. Measurements of the
stability diagrams for both cases show that this method is suitable for
producing high quality quantum dots in InAs.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure
Anderson impurity in a semiconductor
We consider an Anderson impurity model in which the locally correlated
orbital is coupled to a host with a gapped density of states. Single-particle
dynamics are studied, within a perturbative framework that includes both
explicit second-order perturbation theory and self-consistent perturbation
theory to all orders in the interaction. Away from particle-hole symmetry the
system is shown to be a generalized Fermi liquid (GFL) in the sense of being
perturbatively connectable to the non-interacting limit; and the exact Friedel
sum rule for the GFL phase is obtained. We show by contrast that the
particle-hole symmetric point of the model is not perturbatively connected to
the non-interacting limit, and as such is a non-Fermi liquid for all non-zero
gaps. Our conclusions are in agreement with NRG studies of the problem.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure
Probing of the Kondo peak by the impurity charge measurement
We consider the real-time dynamics of the Kondo system after the local probe
of the charge state of the magnetic impurity. Using the exactly solvable
infinite-degeneracy Anderson model we find explicitly the evolution of the
impurity charge after the measurement.Comment: 4 pages, 1 eps figure, revte
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 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
Single-electron tunneling in InP nanowires
We report on the fabrication and electrical characterization of field-effect
devices based on wire-shaped InP crystals grown from Au catalyst particles by a
vapor-liquid-solid process. Our InP wires are n-type doped with diameters in
the 40-55 nm range and lengths of several microns. After being deposited on an
oxidized Si substrate, wires are contacted individually via e-beam fabricated
Ti/Al electrodes. We obtain contact resistances as low as ~10 kOhm, with minor
temperature dependence. The distance between the electrodes varies between 0.2
and 2 micron. The electron density in the wires is changed with a back gate.
Low-temperature transport measurements show Coulomb-blockade behavior with
single-electron charging energies of ~1 meV. We also demonstrate energy
quantization resulting from the confinement in the wire.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Resonant Tunneling through Linear Arrays of Quantum Dots
We theoretically investigate resonant tunneling through a linear array of
quantum dots with subsequent tunnel coupling. We consider two limiting cases:
(i) strong Coulomb blockade, where only one extra electron can be present in
the array (ii) limit of almost non-interacting electrons. We develop a density
matrix description that incorporates the coupling of the dots to reservoirs. We
analyze in detail the dependence of the stationary current on the electron
energies, tunnel matrix elements and rates, and on the number of dots. We
describe interaction and localization effects on the resonant current. We
analyze the applicability of the approximation of independent conduction
channels. We find that this approximation is not valid when at least one of the
tunnel rates to the leads is comparable to the energy splitting of the states
in the array. In this case the interference of conduction processes through
different channels suppresses the current.Comment: 12 pages, 5 figure
Quantum transport in carbon nanotubes
Carbon nanotubes are a versatile material in which many aspects of condensed
matter physics come together. Recent discoveries, enabled by sophisticated
fabrication, have uncovered new phenomena that completely change our
understanding of transport in these devices, especially the role of the spin
and valley degrees of freedom. This review describes the modern understanding
of transport through nanotube devices.
Unlike conventional semiconductors, electrons in nanotubes have two angular
momentum quantum numbers, arising from spin and from valley freedom. We focus
on the interplay between the two. In single quantum dots defined in short
lengths of nanotube, the energy levels associated with each degree of freedom,
and the spin-orbit coupling between them, are revealed by Coulomb blockade
spectroscopy. In double quantum dots, the combination of quantum numbers
modifies the selection rules of Pauli blockade. This can be exploited to read
out spin and valley qubits, and to measure the decay of these states through
coupling to nuclear spins and phonons. A second unique property of carbon
nanotubes is that the combination of valley freedom and electron-electron
interactions in one dimension strongly modifies their transport behaviour.
Interaction between electrons inside and outside a quantum dot is manifested in
SU(4) Kondo behavior and level renormalization. Interaction within a dot leads
to Wigner molecules and more complex correlated states.
This review takes an experimental perspective informed by recent advances in
theory. As well as the well-understood overall picture, we also state clearly
open questions for the field. These advances position nanotubes as a leading
system for the study of spin and valley physics in one dimension where
electronic disorder and hyperfine interaction can both be reduced to a very low
level.Comment: In press at Reviews of Modern Physics. 68 pages, 55 figure
Measurement of g-factor tensor in a quantum dot and disentanglement of exciton spins
We perform polarization-resolved magneto-optical measurements on single InAsP
quantum dots embedded in an InP nanowire. In order to determine all elements of
the electron and hole -factor tensors, we measure in magnetic field with
different orientations. The results of these measurements are in good agreement
with a model based on exchange terms and Zeeman interaction. In our experiment,
polarization analysis delivers a powerful tool that not only significantly
increases the precision of the measurements, but also enables us to probe the
exciton spin state evolution in magnetic fields. We propose a disentangling
scheme of heavy-hole exciton spins enabling a measurement of the electron spin
time
Spatially resolved manipulation of single electrons in quantum dots using a scanned probe
The scanning metallic tip of a scanning force microscope was coupled
capacitively to electrons confined in a lithographically defined gate-tunable
quantum dot at a temperature of 300 mK. Single electrons were made to hop on or
off the dot by moving the tip or by changing the tip bias voltage owing to the
Coulomb-blockade effect. Spatial images of conductance resonances map the
interaction potential between the tip and individual electronic quantum dot
states. Under certain conditions this interaction is found to contain a
tip-voltage induced and a tip-voltage independent contribution.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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