arXiv subjects

Efrat Shimshoni

Publications and source records attributed to Efrat Shimshoni.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

arXiv2011

Quarter-Filled Honeycomb Lattice with a Quantized Hall Conductance

We study a generic two-dimensional hopping model on a honeycomb lattice with strong spin-orbit coupling, without the requirement that the half-filled lattice be a Topological Insulator. For quarter-(or three-quarter) filling, we show that a state with a quantized Hall conductance generically arises in the presence of a Zeeman field of sufficient strength. We discuss the influence of Hubbard interactions and argue that spontaneous ferromagnetism (which breaks time-reversal) will occur, leading to a quantized anomalous Hall effect.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2011

Superconductor-Insulator Magneto-Oscillations in Superconducting Strips

The magnetoresistance of thin superconducting strips subject to a perpendicular magnetic field B and low temperatures T manifests a sequence of alternating superconductor-insulator transitions (SIT). We study this phenomenon within a quasi one-dimensional (1D) model for the quantum dynamics of vortices in a line-junction between coupled parallel SC wires, at parameters close to their SIT. Mapping the vortex system to 1D Fermions at a chemical potential dictated by B, we find that a quantum phase transition of the Ising type occurs at critical values of the vortex filling, from a SC phase near integer filling to an insulator near 1/2-filling. For T->0, the resulting magnetoresistance R(B) exhibits oscillations similar to the experimental observation.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2011

Edge States of Bilayer Graphene in the Quantum Hall Regime

We study the low energy edge states of bilayer graphene in a strong perpendicular magnetic field. Several possible simple boundaries geometries related to zigzag edges are considered. Tight-binding calculations reveal three types of edge state behaviors: weakly, strongly, and non-dispersive edge states. These three behaviors may all be understood within a continuum model, and related by non-linear transformations to the spectra of quantum Hall edge--states in a conventional two-dimensional electron system. In all cases, the edge states closest to zero energy include a hole-like edge state of one valley and a particle-like state of the other on the same edge, which may or may not cross depending on the boundary condition. Edge states with the same spin generically have anticrossings that complicate the spectra, but which may be understood within degenerate perturbation theory. The results demonstrate that the number of edge states crossing the Fermi level in clean, undoped bilayer graphene depends BOTH on boundary conditions and the energies of the bulk states.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2010

Disorder induced superconducting ratchet effect in nanowires

A dc voltage drop develops along amorphous indium oxide nanowires that are exposed to an ac bias source. This voltage is anti-symmetric with magnetic field and is characterized by sample specific quasi-periodic magneto-voltage oscillations. The voltage magnitude increases with decreasing temperature below $T_{C}$ but saturates at low T. As the disorder of the sample is decreased, the dc voltage is suppressed. We suggest that this rectification is a manifestation of the superconducting ratchet effect in which disorder and geometrical confinement play the role of asymmetric pinning centers. This effect demonstrates the importance of inherent inhomogeneity and vortex motion in the superconductor-insulator transition of disordered superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2010

Quantum structural phase transition in chains of interacting atoms

A quasi one--dimensional system of trapped, repulsively interacting atoms (e.g., an ion chain) exhibits a structural phase transition from a linear chain to a zigzag structure, tuned by reducing the transverse trap potential or increasing the particle density. Since it is a one dimensional transition, it takes place at zero temperature and therefore quantum fluctuations dominate. In [Fishman, et al., Phys. Rev. B 77, 064111 (2008)] it was shown that the system close to the linear-zigzag instability is described by a $ϕ^4$ model. We propose a mapping of the $ϕ^4$ field theory to the well known Ising chain in a transverse field, which exhibits a quantum critical point. Based on this mapping, we estimate the quantum critical point in terms of the system parameters. This estimate gives the critical value of the transverse trap frequency for which the quantum phase transition occurs, and which has a finite, measurable deviation from the critical point evaluated within the classical theory. A measurement is suggested for atomic systems which can probe the critical trap frequency at sufficiently low temperatures T. We focus in particular on a trapped ion system, and estimate the implied limitations on T and on the interparticle distance. We conclude that the experimental observation of the quantum critical behavior is in principle accessible.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2010

Quantum zigzag transition in ion chains

A string of trapped ions at zero temperature exhibits a structural phase transition to a zigzag structure, tuned by reducing the transverse trap potential or the interparticle distance. The transition is driven by transverse, short wavelength vibrational modes. We argue that this is a quantum phase transition, which can be experimentally realized and probed. Indeed, by means of a mapping to the Ising model in a transverse field, we estimate the quantum critical point in terms of the system parameters, and find a finite, measurable deviation from the critical point predicted by the classical theory. A measurement procedure is suggested which can probe the effects of quantum fluctuations at criticality. These results can be extended to describe the transverse instability of ultracold polar molecules in a one dimensional optical lattice.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2009

Large violation of Wiedemann Franz law in Luttinger liquids

We show that in weakly disordered Luttinger liquids close to a commensurate filling the ratio of thermal conductivity kappa and electrical conductivity sigma can deviate strongly from the Wiedemann Franz (WF) law valid for Fermi liquids scattering from impurities. In the regime where the Umklapp scattering rate Gamma_U is much larger than the impurity scattering rate Gamma_imp, the Lorenz number L = (kappa/sigma T) rapidly changes from very large values, L ~ (Gamma_U/Gamma_imp) >> 1 at the commensurate point to very small values, L ~ (Gamma_imp/Gamma_U) << 1 for a slightly doped system. This surprising behavior is a consequence of approximate symmetries existing even in the presence of strong Umklapp scattering.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Magnetic quantum tunnelling in Fe8 with excited nuclei

We investigate the effect of dynamic nuclear spin fluctuation on quantum tunneling of the magnetization (QTM) in the molecular magnet Fe8 by increasing the nuclei temperature using radio frequency (RF) pulses before the hysteresis loop measurements. The RF pulses do not change the electrons spin temperature. Independently we show that the nuclear spin-spin relaxation time T2 has strong temperature dependence. Nevertheless, we found no effect of the nuclear spin temperature on the tunneling probability. This suggests that in our experimental conditions only the hyperfine field strength is relevant for QTM. We demonstrate theoretically how this can occur.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2009

Onset of an Insulating Zero-Plateau Quantum Hall State in Graphene

We analyze the dissipative conductance of the zero-plateau quantum Hall state appearing in undoped graphene in strong magnetic fields. Charge transport in this state is assumed to be carried by a magnetic domain wall, which forms by hybridization of two counter--propagating edge states of opposing spin due to interactions. The resulting non--chiral edge mode is a Luttinger liquid of parameter K, which enters a gapped, perfectly conducting state below a critical value K_c\approx 1/2. Backscattering in this system involves spin flip, so that interaction with localized magnetic moments generates a finite resistivity R_{xx} via a "chiral Kondo effect". At finite temperatures T, R_{xx}(T) exhibits a crossover from metallic to insulating behavior as K is tuned across a threshold K_{MI}. For T->0, R_{xx} in the intermediate regime K_{MI}<K<K_c is finite, but diverges as K approaches K_c. This model provides a natural interpretation of recent experiments.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Experimental Estimates of Dephasing Time in Molecular Magnets

Muon spin relaxation measurements in isotropic molecular magnets (MM) with a spin value S ranging from 7/2 to 27/2 are used to determine the magnitude and origin of dephasing time $τ_ϕ$ of molecular magnets. It is found that $τ_ϕ$ ~ 10 nsec with no S or ligand dependence. This indicates a nuclear origin for the stochastic field. Since $τ_ϕ$ is a property of the environment, we argue that it is a number common to similar types of MM. Therefore, $τ_ϕ$ is shorter than the Zener and tunneling times of anisotropic MM such as Fe8 or Mn4 for standard laboratory sweep rates. Our findings call for a stochastic Landau-Zener theory in this particular case.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Thermal Conductivity of Spin-1/2 Chains

We study the low-temperature transport properties of clean one-dimensional spin-1/2 chains coupled to phonons. Due to the presence of approximate conservation laws, the heat current decays very slowly giving rise to an exponentially large heat conductivity, $κ~ e^{T^*/T}$. As a result of an interplay of Umklapp scattering and spinon-phonon coupling, the characteristic energy scale $T^*$ turns out to be of order $Θ_D/2$, where $Θ_D$ is the Debye energy, rather than the magnetic exchange interaction $J$ -- in agreement with recent measurements in SrCuO compounds. A large magnetic field strongly affects the heat transport by two distinct mechanisms. First, it induces a LINEAR spinon--phonon coupling, which alters the nature of the $T -> 0$ fixed point: the elementary excitations of the system are COMPOSITE SPINON-PHONON objects. Second, the change of the magnetization and the corresponding change of the wave vector of the spinons strongly affects the way in which various Umklapp processes can relax the heat current, leading to a characteristic fractal--like spiky behavior of $κ$ when plotted as a function of magnetization at fixed T.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

The Quantized Hall Insulator: a "Quantum" Signature of a "Classical" Transport Regime?

Experimental studies of the transitions from a primary quantum Hall (QH) liquid at filling factor 1/k (with k an odd integer) to the insulator have indicated a ``quantized Hall insulator'' (QHI) behavior: while the longitudinal resistivity diverges with decreasing temperature and current bias, the Hall resistivity remains quantized at the value $k h/ e^2$. We review the experimental results and the theoretical studies addressing this phenomenon. In particular, we discuss a theoretical approach which employs a model of the insulator as a random network of weakly coupled puddles of QH liquid at fixed filling factor. This model is proved to exhibit a robust quantization of the Hall resistivity, provided the electron transport on the network is INCOHERENT. Subsequent theoretical studies have focused on the controversy whether the assumption of incoherence is necessary. The emergent conclusion is that in the quantum coherent transport regime, quantum interference destroys the QHI as a consequence of localization. Once the localization length becomes much shorter than the dephasing length, the Hall resistivity diverges. We conclude by mentioning some recent experimental observations and open questions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2003

Low Temperature Transport Properties of Strongly Interacting Systems- Thermal Conductivity of Spin-1/2 Chains

We outline a general approach to the computation of transport properties of interacting systems at low temperetures and frequencies. We show that if the fixed point and the irrelevant operators around it are known, then by studying the structure of the softly violated conserved currents chracterizing the fixed point one may set up an effective calculation in terms of a memory matrix formalism. We apply this approach to the computation of thermal conductivity of spin chains embedded in a matter matrix and interacting with its phonons. The results are found to be in very good agreement with experiment.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2001

Quantum Breakdown of the Quantized Hall Insulator

We present an analytical scaling theory for localization in a two-dimensional hierarchical network model that is designed to represent phase-coherent electron transport in the quantum-Hall regime. Scaling expressions for both the longitudinal and Hall resistivities are derived. In agreement with recent numerical studies, we find that the Hall resistivity is quantized in the metallic phase but diverges in the insulating phase. This suggests that the characteristics of a quantized Hall insulator can occur only in the presence of a strong dephasing mechanism.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2000

Critical Resistivity along the Quantum Hall Liquid--Insulator Transition Line

The critical resistivity measured along the quantum Hall liquid--insulator transition line indicates a pronounced peak at a critical filling factor close to 1, which marks the crossover from the high to low magnetic field regime in the phase diagram. The origin of this behavior is explained in the framework of classical transport in a puddle network model. The proposed scenario is also consistent with the behavior of the critical Hall resistance along the transition line. In addition, a formula is suggested as a fit for isotherms ($ρ_{xx}$ vs. $ν$) in the moderately high field regime, which exhibits a violation of duality symmetry as the critical resistivity is evelated from the `universal' value $h/e^2$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Coulomb interactions and delocalization in quantum Hall constrictions

We study a geometry-dependent effect of long-range Coulomb interactions on quantum Hall (QH) tunneling junctions. In an X-shaped geometry, duality relates junctions with opening angles alpha and (pi - alpha). We prove that duality between weak tunneling and weak backscattering survives in the presence of long range interactions, and that their effects are precisely cancelled in the self dual geometry alpha=pi/2. Tunneling exponents as a function of alpha, the interaction strength chi, and the filling fraction nu are calculated. We find that Coulomb interaction induces localization in narrow channels (large alpha), and delocalization for sharply pinched constrictions (small alpha). Consequently, an insulator to metal transition happens at an angle alpha_c(chi,nu) <=pi/2. We discuss the implications of our results for tunneling experiments in QH-constriction and cleaved-edge geometries.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Classical versus Quantum Transport near Quantum Hall Transitions

In attempt to settle the apparent disagreements between different experimental results, transport data near quantum Hall transitions are interpreted by identifying two distinct conduction regimes. The ``classical'' regime, dominated by nearest neighbor hopping between localized conducting puddles, manifests an activated-like resistivity formula, and the quantized Hall insulator behavior. At very low temperatures $T$, or farther from the critical point, a crossover occurs to a "quantum" transport regime dominated by variable range hopping. The latter is characterized by a different T-dependence, yet the dependence on filling fraction is, coincidentally, hard to distinguish.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Bulk and edge correlations in the compressible half-filled quantum Hall state

We study bulk and edge correlations in the compressible half-filled state, using a modified version of the plasma analogy. The corresponding plasma has anomalously weak screening properties, and as a consequence we find that the correlations along the edge do not decay algebraically as in the Laughlin (incompressible) case, while the bulk correlations decay in the same way. The results suggest that due to the strong coupling between charged modes on the edge and the neutral Fermions in the bulk, reflected by the weak screening in the plasma analogue, the (attractive) correlation hole is not well defined on the edge. Hence, the system there can be modeled as a free Fermi gas of {\em electrons} (with an appropriate boundary condition). We finally comment on a possible scenario, in which the Laughlin-like dynamical edge correlations may nevertheless be realized.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗