Metal-nanoparticle single-electron transistors fabricated using electromigration

We have fabricated single-electron transistors from individual metal nanoparticles using a geometry that provides improved coupling between the particle and the gate electrode. This is accomplished by incorporating a nanoparticle into a gap created between two electrodes using electromigration, all on top of an oxidized aluminum gate. We achieve sufficient gate coupling to access more than ten charge states of individual gold nanoparticles (5-15 nm in diameter). The devices are sufficiently stable to permit spectroscopic studies of the electron-in-a-box level spectra within the nanoparticle as its charge state is varied.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, submitted to AP

Qualitative and Quantitative Detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA in Cerebrospinal Fluid from Multiple Sclerosis Patients and Controls

A standardized molecular test for the detection of Chlamydophila pneumoniae DNA in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) would assist the further assessment of the association of C. pneumoniae with multiple sclerosis (MS). We developed and validated a qualitative colorimetric microtiter plate-based PCR assay (PCR-EIA) and a real-time quantitative PCR assay (TaqMan) for detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in CSF specimens from MS patients and controls. Compared to a touchdown nested-PCR assay, the sensitivity, specificity, and concordance of the PCR-EIA assay were 88.5%, 93.2%, and 90.5%, respectively, on a total of 137 CSF specimens. PCR-EIA presented a significantly higher sensitivity in MS patients (p = 0.008) and a higher specificity in other neurological diseases (p = 0.018). Test reproducibility of the PCR-EIA assay was statistically related to the volumes of extract DNA included in the test (p = 0.033); a high volume, which was equivalent to 100 µl of CSF per reaction, yielded a concordance of 96.8% between two medical technologists running the test at different times. The TaqMan quantitative PCR assay detected 26 of 63 (41.3%) of positive CSF specimens that tested positive by both PCR-EIA and nested-PCR qualitative assays. None of the CSF specimens that were negative by the two qualitative PCR methods were detected by the TaqMan quantitative PCR. The PCR-EIA assay detected a minimum of 25 copies/ml C. pneumoniae DNA in plasmid-spiked CSF, which was at least 10 times more sensitive than TaqMan. These data indicated that the PCR-EIA assay possessed a sensitivity that was equal to the nested-PCR procedures for the detection of C. pneumoniae DNA in CSF. The TaqMan system may not be sensitive enough for diagnostic purposes due to the low C. pneumoniae copies existing in the majority of CSF specimens from MS patients

Spin splitting and Kondo effect in quantum dots coupled to noncollinear ferromagnetic leads

We study the Kondo effect in a quantum dot coupled to two noncollinear ferromagnetic leads. First, we study the spin splitting $\delta\epsilon=\epsilon_{\downarrow}-\epsilon_{\uparrow}$ of an energy level in the quantum dot by tunnel couplings to the ferromagnetic leads, using the Poor man's scaling method. The spin splitting takes place in an intermediate direction between magnetic moments in the two leads. $\delta\epsilon \propto p\sqrt{\cos^2(\theta/2)+v^2\sin^2(\theta/2)}$, where $p$ is the spin polarization in the leads, $\theta$ is the angle between the magnetic moments, and $v$ is an asymmetric factor of tunnel barriers ($-1<v<1$). Hence the spin splitting is always maximal in the parallel alignment of two ferromagnets ($\theta=0$) and minimal in the antiparallel alignment ($\theta=\pi$). Second, we calculate the Kondo temperature $T_{\mathrm{K}}$. The scaling calculation yields an analytical expression of $T_{\mathrm{K}}$ as a function of $\theta$ and $p$, $T_{\mathrm{K}}(\theta, p)$, when $\delta\epsilon \ll T_{\mathrm{K}}$. $T_{\mathrm{K}}(\theta, p)$ is a decreasing function with respect to $p\sqrt{\cos^2(\theta/2)+v^2\sin^2(\theta/2)}$. When $\delta\epsilon$ is relevant, we evaluate $T_{\mathrm{K}}(\delta\epsilon, \theta, p)$ using the slave-boson mean-field theory. The Kondo resonance is split into two by finite $\delta\epsilon$, which results in the spin accumulation in the quantum dot and suppression of the Kondo effect.Comment: 11 pages, 8 figures, revised versio

Mechanically-adjustable and electrically-gated single-molecule transistors

We demonstrate a device geometry for single-molecule electronics experiments that combines both the ability to adjust the spacing between the electrodes mechanically and the ability to shift the energy levels in the molecule using a gate electrode. With the independent in-situ variations of molecular properties provided by these two experimental "knobs", we are able to achieve a much more detailed characterization of electron transport through the molecule than is possible with either technique separately. We illustrate the devices' performance using C60 molecules.Comment: 15 pages, 3 figure

Thermoelectric phenomena in a quantum dot asymmetrically coupled to external leads

We study thermoelectric phenomena in a system consisting of strongly correlated quantum dot coupled to external leads in the Kondo regime. We calculate linear and nonlinear electrical and thermal conductance and thermopower of the quantum dot and discuss the role of asymmetry in the couplings to external electrodes. In the linear regime electrical and thermal conductances are modified, while thermopower remains unchanged. In the nonlinear regime the Kondo resonance in differential conductance develops at non-zero source-drain voltage, which has important consequences on thermoelectric properties of the system and the thermopower starts to depend on the asymmetry. We also discuss Wiedemann-Franz relation, thermoelectric figure of merit and validity of the Mott formula for thermopower.Comment: 6 pages, 7 figure

Nonequilibrium Kondo Effect in a Quantum Dot Coupled to Ferromagnetic Leads

We study the Kondo effect in the electron transport through a quantum dot coupled to ferromagnetic leads, using a real-time diagrammatic technique which provides a systematic description of the nonequilibrium dynamics of a system with strong local electron correlations. We evaluate the theory in an extension of the `resonant tunneling approximation', introduced earlier, by introducing the self-energy of the off-diagonal component of the reduced propagator in spin space. In this way we develop a charge and spin conserving approximation that accounts not only for Kondo correlations but also for the spin splitting and spin accumulation out of equilibrium. We show that the Kondo resonances, split by the applied bias voltage, may be spin polarized. A left-right asymmetry in the coupling strength and/or spin polarization of the electrodes significantly affects both the spin accumulation and the weight of the split Kondo resonances out of equilibrium. The effects are observable in the nonlinear differential conductance. We also discuss the influence of decoherence on the Kondo resonance in the frame of the real-time formulation.Comment: 13 pages, 13 figure

Kondo Resonance in the Presence of Spin-Polarized Currents

We propose an improved method of the equation of motion approach to study the Kondo problem in spin-dependent non-equilibrium conditions. We find that the previously introduced additional renormalization for non-equilibrium Kondo effects is not required when we use a proper decoupling scheme. Our improved formulation is then applied to address the spin-split Kondo peaks when a spin current injects into a Kondo system.Comment: 4+ pages, 4 eps figure