29 research outputs found
Dephasing via stochastic absorption: A case study in Aharonov-Bohm oscillations
The Aharonov-Bohm ring has been the mainstay of mesoscopic physics research
since its inception. In this paper we have dwelt on the problem of dephasing of
AB oscillations using a phenomenological model based on stochastic absorption.
To calculate the conductance in the presence of inelastic scattering we have
used the method due to Brouwer and Beenakker. We have shown that conductance is
symmetric under flux reversal and visibility of AB oscillations decay to zero
as a function of the incoherence parameter thus signalling dephasing in the
system. Some comments are made on the relative merits of stochastic absorption
with respect to optical potential model, which have been used to mimic
dephasing.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figures Minor corrections made and journal reference adde
Wave attenuation model for dephasing and measurement of conditional times
Inelastic scattering induces dephasing in mesoscopic systems. An analysis of
previous models to simulate inelastic scattering in such systems is presented
and also a relatively new model based on wave attenuation is introduced. The
problem of Aharonov-Bohm(AB) oscillations in conductance of a mesoscopic ring
is studied. We have shown that conductance is symmetric under flux reversal and
visibility of AB oscillations decay to zero as function of the incoherence
parameter, signalling dephasing. Further wave attenuation is applied to a
fundamental problem in quantum mechanics, i.e., the
conditional(reflection/transmission) times spent in a given region of space by
a quantum particle before scattering off from that region.Comment: 8 pages, 6 figures. Based on presentations by A. M. J and C. B at the
2nd Winter Institute on Foundations of Quantum theory, Quantum Optics and QIP
held at S N Bose National Centre for Basic Sciences, Kolkata, India, from
January 2-11, 200
Influence of typical environments on quantum processes
We present the results of studying the influence of different environmental
states on the coherence of quantum processes. We choose to discuss a simple
model which describe two electronic reservoirs connected through tunneling via
a resonant state. The model could, e.g., serve as an idealization of inelastic
resonant tunneling through a double barrier structure. We develop Schwinger's
closed time path formulation of non-equilibrium quantum statistical mechanics,
and show that the influence of the environment on a coherent quantum process
can be described by the value of a generating functional at a specific force
value, thereby allowing for a unified discussion of destruction of phase
coherence by various environmental states: thermal state, classical noise, time
dependent classical field, and a coherent state. The model allows an extensive
discussion of the influence of dissipation on the coherent quantum process, and
expressions for the transmission coefficient are obtained in the possible
limits.Comment: 46 pages, 11 post script figures. Accepted for publication in
Physical Review
Comparison between the two models of dephasing in mesoscopic systems
In mesoscopic systems to study the role of inelastic scattering on the phase
coherent motion of electrons two phenomenological models have been proposed. In
the first one, due to B\"uttiker, one adds a voltage probe into the system (or
in the scattering matrix). The second model invokes the complex (or optical)
potential in the system Hamiltonian. Studying a simple geometry of a metallic
loop in the presence of Aharonov-Bohm magnetic flux, we show that the two probe
conductance is symmetric in the reversal of the magnetic field in B\"uttiker's
approach. Whereas the two probe conductance within the complex potential model
is asymmetric in the magnetic flux reversal contrary to the expected behavior.Comment: 11 pages RevTex, 4 figures inculded, Communicated to PR