Optical activity of noncentrosymmetric metals

We describe the phenomenon of optical activity of noncentrosymmetric metals in their normal and superconducting states. The found conductivity tensor contains the linear in wave vector off diagonal part responsible for the natural optical activity. Its value is expressed through the ratio of light frequency to the band splitting due to the spin-orbit interaction. The Kerr rotation of polarization of light reflected from the metal surface is calculated. In the additional file "Erratum" I've pointed out the sign error in arXiv:1001.2113 ( PRB v.81, 094525 (2010)) that leads to the wrong statement about the Kerr effect in light reflection from the surface of media without space parity.Comment: 9 pages + 2 pages of Erratum. arXiv admin note: text overlap with arXiv:0903.330

Quantum and Classical Binomial Distributions for the Charge Transmitted through Coherent Conductor

We discuss controversial results for the statistics of charge transport through coherent conductors. Two distribution functions for the charge transmitted was obtained previously, first by L.Levitov and G.Lesovik, [JETP Letters Vol.55 p.555 (1992)] and the other initially by the same authors [ibid. Vol.58 p.230 (1993)], and later the result was reproduced by several authors. The latter distribution functions actually coincides with classical binomial distribution (though obtained purely quantum mechanically) former (result of 1992) is different and we call it here quantum binomial distribution. The two distribution function represent two opposite universal limits - one is purely quantum, where interference is important, and the other is semiclassical, where interference is smeared out. We show, that high order charge correlators, determined by the either distribution functions, can all be measured in different setups. The high order current correlators, starting the third order, reveal (missed in previous studies) special oscillating frequency dependence on the scale of the inverted time flight from the obstacle to the measuring point. Depending on setup, the oscillating terms give substantially different contributions.Comment: 4 pages; english versio

Tunable Fermi-Edge Resonance in an Open Quantum Dot

Resonant tunneling in an open mesoscopic quantum dot is proposed as a vehicle to realize a tunable Fermi-edge resonance with variable coupling strength. We solve the x-ray edge problem for a generic nonseparable scatterer and apply it to describe tunneling in a quantum dot. The tunneling current power law exponent is linked to the S-matrix of the dot. The control of scattering by varying the dot shape and coupling to the leads allows to explore a wide range of exponents. Transport properties, such as weak localization, mesoscopic conductance fluctuations, and sensitivity to Wigner-Dyson ensemble type, have their replicas in the Fermi-edge singularity.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure

Full Current Statistics of Incoherent "Cold Electrons"

We evaluate the full current statistics (FCS) in the low dimensional (1D and 2D) diffusive conductors in the incoherent regime, $eV\gg E_{\rm Th}=D/L^2$, $E_{\rm Th}$ being the Thouless energy. It is shown that Coulomb interaction substantially enhances the probability of big current fluctuations for short conductors with $E_{\rm Th}\gg1/\tau_E$, $\tau_E$ being the energy relaxation time, leading to the exponential tails in the current distribution. The current fluctuations are most strong for low temperatures, provided $E_{\rm Th}\sim [(eV)^2/D\nu_1^2\bigr]^{1/3}$ for 1D and $E_{\rm Th}\sim (eV/g)\ln g$ for 2D, where $g$ is a dimensionless conductance and $\nu_1$ is a 1D density of states. The FCS in the "hot electron" regime is also discussed.Comment: 4 pages, 1 table, 2 figure