Quantum quenches and driven dynamics in a single-molecule device

The nonequilibrium dynamics of molecular devices is studied in the framework of a generic model for single-molecule transistors: a resonant level coupled by displacement to a single vibrational mode. In the limit of a broad level and in the vicinity of the resonance, the model can be controllably reduced to a form quadratic in bosonic operators, which in turn is exactly solvable. The response of the system to a broad class of sudden quenches and ac drives is thus computed in a nonperturbative manner, providing an asymptotically exact solution in the limit of weak electron-phonon coupling. From the analytic solution we are able to (1) explicitly show that the system thermalizes following a local quantum quench, (2) analyze in detail the time scales involved, (3) show that the relaxation time in response to a quantum quench depends on the observable in question, and (4) reveal how the amplitude of long-time oscillations evolves as the frequency of an ac drive is tuned across the resonance frequency. Explicit analytical expressions are given for all physical quantities and all nonequilibrium scenarios under study.Comment: 23 pages, 13 figure

Quantum phase transition in the Dicke model with critical and non-critical entanglement

We study the quantum phase transition of the Dicke model in the classical oscillator limit, where it occurs already for finite spin length. In contrast to the classical spin limit, for which spin-oscillator entanglement diverges at the transition, entanglement in the classical oscillator limit remains small. We derive the quantum phase transition with identical critical behavior in the two classical limits and explain the differences with respect to quantum fluctuations around the mean-field ground state through an effective model for the oscillator degrees of freedom. With numerical data for the full quantum model we study convergence to the classical limits. We contrast the classical oscillator limit with the dual limit of a high frequency oscillator, where the spin degrees of freedom are described by the Lipkin-Meshkov-Glick model. An alternative limit can be defined for the Rabi case of spin length one-half, in which spin frequency renormalization replaces the quantum phase transition.Comment: 1o pages, 10 figures, published versio

Influence of Anomalous Dispersion on Optical Characteristics of Quantum Wells

Frequency dependencies of optical characteristics (reflection, transmission and absorption of light) of a quantum well are investigated in a vicinity of interband resonant transitions in a case of two closely located excited energy levels. A wide quantum well in a quantizing magnetic field directed normally to the quantum-well plane, and monochromatic stimulating light are considered. Distinctions between refraction coefficients of barriers and quantum well, and a spatial dispersion of the light wave are taken into account. It is shown that at large radiative lifetimes of excited states in comparison with nonradiative lifetimes, the frequency dependence of the light reflection coefficient in the vicinity of resonant interband transitions is defined basically by a curve, similar to the curve of the anomalous dispersion of the refraction coefficient. The contribution of this curve weakens at alignment of radiative and nonradiative times, it is practically imperceptible at opposite ratio of lifetimes . It is shown also that the frequency dependencies similar to the anomalous dispersion do not arise in transmission and absorption coefficients.Comment: 10 pages, 6 figure

Transmission of a Symmetric Light Pulse through a Wide QW

The reflection, transmission and absorption of a symmetric electromagnetic pulse, which carrying frequency is close to the frequency of an interband transition in a QW (QW), are obtained. The energy levels of a QW are assumed discrete, one exited level is taken into account. The case of a wide QW is considered when a length of the pulse wave, appropriate to the carrying frequency, is comparable to the QW's width. In figures the time dependencies of the dimensionless reflection, absorption are transmission are represented. It is shown, that the spatial dispersion and a distinction in refraction indexes influence stronger reflection.Comment: 8 pages,8 figures with caption

Green's and spectral functions of the small Frolich polaron

According to recent Quantum Monte Carlo simulations the small polaron theory is practically exact in a wide range of the long-range (Frohlich) electron-phonon coupling and adiabatic ratio. We apply the Lang-Firsov transformation to convert the strong-coupling term in the Hamiltonian into the form of an effective hopping integral and derive the single-particle Green's function describing propagation of the small Frohlich polaron. One and two dimensional spectral functions are studied by expanding the Green's function perturbatively. Numerical calculations of the spectral functions are produced. Remarkably, the coherent spectral weight (Z) and effective mass (Z') renormalisation exponents are found to be different with Z'>>Z, which can explain a small coherent spectral weight and a relatively moderate mass enhancement in oxides.Comment: RevTeX, 5 pages, 2 postscript figures, LaTeX processing problems correcte

Elastic Light Scattering by Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Elastic light scattering by low-dimensional semiconductor objects is investigated theoretically. The differential cross section of resonant light scattering on excitons in quantum dots is calculated. The polarization and angular distribution of scattered light do not depend on the quantum-dot form, sizes and potential configuration if light wave lengths exceed considerably the quantum-dot size. In this case the magnitude of the total light scattering cross section does not depend on quantum-dot sizes. The resonant total light scattering cross section is about a square of light wave length if the exciton radiative broadening exceeds the nonradiative broadening. Radiative broadenings are calculated

Principals of the theory of light reflection and absorption by low-dimensional semiconductor objects in quantizing magnetic fields at monochromatic and pulse excitations

The bases of the theory of light reflection and absorption by low-dimensional semiconductor objects (quantum wells, wires and dots) at both monochromatic and pulse irradiations and at any form of light pulses are developed. The semiconductor object may be placed in a stationary quantizing magnetic field. As an example the case of normal light incidence on a quantum well surface is considered. The width of the quantum well may be comparable to the light wave length and number of energy levels of electronic excitations is arbitrary. For Fourier-components of electric fields the integral equation (similar to the Dyson-equation) and solutions of this equation for some individual cases are obtained.Comment: 14 page

Many-Polaron Effects in the Holstein Model

We derive an effective polaronic interaction Hamiltonian, {\it exact to second order in perturbation}, for the spinless one-dimensional Holstein model. The small parameter is given by the ratio of the hopping term ($t$) to the polaronic energy ($g^2 \omega_0$) in all the region of validity for our perturbation; however, the exception being the regime of extreme anti-adiabaticity ($t/\omega_0 \le 0.1$) and small electron-phonon coupling ($g < 1$) where the small parameter is $t/\omega_0$. We map our polaronic Hamiltonian onto a next-to-nearest-neighbor interaction anisotropic Heisenberg spin model. By studying the mass gap and the power-law exponent of the spin-spin correlation function for our Heisenberg spin model, we analyze the Luttinger liquid to charge-density-wave transition at half-filling in the effective polaronic Hamiltonian. We calculate the structure factor at all fillings and find that the spin-spin correlation length decreases as one deviates from half-filling. We also extend our derivation of polaronic Hamiltonian to $d$-dimensions.Comment: Content changed. Accepted in Phys. Rev.

Alternative approach to computing transport coefficients: application to conductivity and Hall coefficient of hydrogenated amorphous silicon

We introduce a theoretical framework for computing transport coefficients for complex materials. As a first example, we resolve long-standing inconsistencies between experiment and theory pertaining to the conductivity and Hall mobility for amorphous silicon and show that the Hall sign anomaly is a consequence of localized states. Next, we compute the AC conductivity of amorphous polyanaline. The formalism is applicable to complex materials involving defects and band-tail states originating from static topological disorder and extended states. The method may be readily integrated with current \textit{ab initio} methods.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. Let

Profile alterations of a symmetrical light pulse coming through a quantum well

The theory of a response of a two-energy-level system, irradiated by symmetrical light pulses, has been developed.(Suchlike electronic system approximates under the definite conditions a single ideal quantum well (QW) in a strong magnetic field {\bf H}, directed perpendicularly to the QW's plane, or in magnetic field absence.) The general formulae for the time-dependence of non-dimensional reflection {\cal R}(t), absorption {\cal A}(t) and transmission {\cal T}(t) of a symmetrical light pulse have been obtained. It has been shown that the singularities of three types exist on the dependencies {\cal R}(t), {\cal A}(t), {\cal T}(t). The oscillating time dependence of {\cal R}(t), {\cal A}(t), {\cal T}(t) on the detuning frequency \Delta\omega=\omega_l-\omega_0 takes place. The oscillations are more easily observable when \Delta\omega\simeq\gamma_l. The positions of the total absorption, reflection and transparency singularities are examined when the frequency \omega_l is detuned.Comment: 9 pages, 13 figures with caption