Multiple bound states in scissor-shaped waveguides

We study bound states of the two-dimensional Helmholtz equations with Dirichlet boundary conditions in an open geometry given by two straight leads of the same width which cross at an angle $\theta$. Such a four-terminal junction with a tunable $\theta$ can realized experimentally if a right-angle structure is filled by a ferrite. It is known that for $\theta=90^o$ there is one proper bound state and one eigenvalue embedded in the continuum. We show that the number of eigenvalues becomes larger with increasing asymmetry and the bound-state energies are increasing as functions of $\theta$ in the interval $(0,90^o)$. Moreover, states which are sufficiently strongly bent exist in pairs with a small energy difference and opposite parities. Finally, we discuss how with increasing $\theta$ the bound states transform into the quasi-bound states with a complex wave vector.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure

Spin rotation for ballistic electron transmission induced by spin-orbit interaction

We study spin dependent electron transmission through one- and two-dimensional curved waveguides and quantum dots with account of spin-orbit interaction. We prove that for a transmission through arbitrary structure there is no spin polarization provided that electron transmits in isolated energy subband and only two leads are attached to the structure. In particular there is no spin polarization in the one-dimensional wire for which spin dependent solution is found analytically. The solution demonstrates spin evolution as dependent on a length of wire. Numerical solution for transmission of electrons through the two-dimensional curved waveguides coincides with the solution for the one-dimensional wire if the energy of electron is within the first energy subband. In the vicinity of edges of the energy subbands there are sharp anomalies of spin flipping.Comment: 9 oages, 7 figure

Hall-like effect induced by spin-orbit interaction

The effect of spin-orbit interaction on electron transport properties of a cross-junction structure is studied. It is shown that it results in spin polarization of left and right outgoing electron waves. Consequently, incoming electron wave of a proper polarization induces voltage drop perpendicularly to the direct current flow between source and drain of the considered four-terminal cross-structure. The resulting Hall-like resistance is estimated to be of the order of 10^-3 - 10^-2 h/e^2 for technologically available structures. The effect becomes more pronounced in the vicinity of resonances where Hall-like resistance changes its sign as function of the Fermi energy.Comment: 4 pages (RevTeX), 4 figures, will appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Two-component model of a spin-polarized transport

Effect of the spin-involved interaction of electrons with impurity atoms or defects to the transport properties of a two-dimensional electron gas is described by using a simplifying two-component model. Components representing spin-up and spin-down states are supposed to be coupled at a discrete set of points within a conduction channel. The used limit of the short-range interaction allows to solve the relevant scattering problem exactly. By varying the model parameters different transport regimes of two-terminal devices with ferromagnetic contacts can be described. In a quasi-ballistic regime the resulting difference between conductances for the parallel and antiparallel orientation of the contact magnetization changes its sign as a function of the length of the conduction channel if appropriate model parameters are chosen. The effect is in agreement with recent experimental observations.Comment: 4 RevTeX pages with 4 figure

The brachistochrone problem in open quantum systems

Recently, the quantum brachistochrone problem is discussed in the literature by using non-Hermitian Hamilton operators of different type. Here, it is demonstrated that the passage time is tunable in realistic open quantum systems due to the biorthogonality of the eigenfunctions of the non-Hermitian Hamilton operator. As an example, the numerical results obtained by Bulgakov et al. for the transmission through microwave cavities of different shape are analyzed from the point of view of the brachistochrone problem. The passage time is shortened in the crossover from the weak-coupling to the strong-coupling regime where the resonance states overlap and many branch points (exceptional points) in the complex plane exist. The effect can {\it not} be described in the framework of standard quantum mechanics with Hermitian Hamilton operator and consideration of $S$ matrix poles.Comment: 18 page

Bound states in the continuum in open Aharonov-Bohm rings

Using formalism of effective Hamiltonian we consider bound states in continuum (BIC). They are those eigen states of non-hermitian effective Hamiltonian which have real eigen values. It is shown that BICs are orthogonal to open channels of the leads, i.e. disconnected from the continuum. As a result BICs can be superposed to transport solution with arbitrary coefficient and exist in propagation band. The one-dimensional Aharonov-Bohm rings that are opened by attaching single-channel leads to them allow exact consideration of BICs. BICs occur at discrete values of energy and magnetic flux however it's realization strongly depend on a way to the BIC's point.Comment: 5 pgaes, 4 figure

Observation of Caustics in the Trajectories of Cold Atoms in a Linear Magnetic Potential

We have studied the spatial and temporal dynamics of a cold atom cloud in the conservative force field of a ferromagnetic guide, after laser cooling has been switched off suddenly. We observe outgoing 'waves' that correspond to caustics of individual trajectories of trapped atoms. This provides detailed information on the magnetic field, the energy distribution and the spin states.Comment: 21 pages, incl. 12 figure

Projective Hilbert space structures at exceptional points

A non-Hermitian complex symmetric 2x2 matrix toy model is used to study projective Hilbert space structures in the vicinity of exceptional points (EPs). The bi-orthogonal eigenvectors of a diagonalizable matrix are Puiseux-expanded in terms of the root vectors at the EP. It is shown that the apparent contradiction between the two incompatible normalization conditions with finite and singular behavior in the EP-limit can be resolved by projectively extending the original Hilbert space. The complementary normalization conditions correspond then to two different affine charts of this enlarged projective Hilbert space. Geometric phase and phase jump behavior are analyzed and the usefulness of the phase rigidity as measure for the distance to EP configurations is demonstrated. Finally, EP-related aspects of PT-symmetrically extended Quantum Mechanics are discussed and a conjecture concerning the quantum brachistochrone problem is formulated.Comment: 20 pages; discussion extended, refs added; bug correcte

Two-electron bound states in continuum in quantum dots

Bound state in continuum (BIC) might appear in open quantum dots for variation of the dot's shape. By means of the equations of motion of Green functions we investigate effect of strong intradot Coulomb interactions on that phenomenon in the framework of impurity Anderson model. Equation that imaginary part of poles of the Green function equals to zero gives condition for BICs. As a result we show that Coulomb interactions replicate the single-electron BICs into two-electron ones.Comment: To be published in JETP Letter

Weak localization in ferromagnets with spin-orbit interaction

Weak localization corrections to conductivity of ferromagnetic systems are studied theoretically in the case when spin-orbit interaction plays a significant role. Two cases are analyzed in detail: (i) the case when the spin-orbit interaction is due to scattering from impurities, and (ii) the case when the spin-orbit interaction results from reduced dimensionality of the system and is of the Bychkov-Rashba type. Results of the analysis show that the localization corrections to conductivity of ferromagnetic metals lead to a negative magnetoresistance -- also in the presence of the spin-orbit scattering. Positive magnetoresistance due to weak antilocalization, typical of nonmagnetic systems, does not occur in ferromagnetic systems. In the case of two-dimensional ferromagnets, the quantum corrections depend on the magnetization orientation with respect to the plane of the system.Comment: 14 pages with 10 figures, corrected and extended version, Sec.7 adde