arXiv subjects

F. M. Peeters

Publications and source records attributed to F. M. Peeters.

At least 325 records · Page 18Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Stability of spintronic devices based on quantum ring networks

Transport properties in mesoscopic networks are investigated, where the strength of the (Rashba-type) spin-orbit coupling is assumed to be tuned with external gate voltages. We analyze in detail to what extent the ideal behavior and functionality of some promising network-based devices are modified by random (spin-dependent) scattering events and by thermal fluctuations. It is found that although the functionality of these devices is obviously based on the quantum coherence of the transmitted electrons, there is a certain stability: moderate level of errors can be tolerated. For mesoscopic networks made of typical semiconductor materials, even cryogenic temperatures can smear out the desired transport properties. When the energy distribution of the input carriers is narrow enough, it turns out that the devices can operate close to their ideal limits even at relative high temperature. As an example, we present results for two different networks: one that realizes a Stern-Gerlach device and another that simulates a spin quantum walker. Finally we propose a simple network that can act as a narrow band energy filter even in the presence of random scatterers.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2009

Size-dependent enhancement of superconductivity in nanowires

A shape-dependent superconducting resonance can be expected when an energy level associated with the transverse motion in a wire passes through the Fermi surface. We show that the recently observed width-dependent increase of $T_c$ in ${\rm Al}$ and ${\rm Sn}$ nanowires is a consequence of this shape resonance effect.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Vortex states in mesoscopic superconducting squares: Formation of vortex shells

We analyze theoretically and experimentally vortex configurations in mesoscopic superconducting squares. Our theoretical approach is based on the analytical solution of the London equation using Green's-function method. The potential-energy landscape found for each vortex configuration is then used in Langevin-type molecular-dynamics simulations to obtain stable vortex configurations. Metastable states and transitions between them and the ground state are analyzed. We present our results of the first direct visualization of vortex patterns in micrometer-sized Nb squares, using the Bitter decoration technique. We show that the filling rules for vortices in squares with increasing applied magnetic field can be formulated, although in a different manner than in disks, in terms of formation of vortex "shells".

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Collective vortex phases in periodic plus random pinning potential

We study theoretically the simultaneous effect of a regular and a random pinning potentials on the vortex lattice structure at filling factor of 1. This structure is determined by a competition between the square symmetry of regular pinning array, by the intervortex interaction favoring a triangular symmetry, and by the randomness trying to depin vortices from their regular positions. Both analytical and molecular-dynamics approaches are used. We construct a phase diagram of the system in the plane of regular and random pinning strengths and determine typical vortex lattice defects appearing in the system due to the disorder. We find that the total disordering of the vortex lattice can occur either in one step or in two steps. For instance, in the limit of weak pinning, a square lattice of pinned vortices is destroyed in two steps. First, elastic chains of depinned vortices appear in the film; but the vortex lattice as a whole remains still pinned by the underlying square array of regular pinning sites. These chains are composed into fractal-like structures. In a second step, domains of totally depinned vortices are generated and the vortex lattice depins from regular array.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2009

Second generation of vortex-antivortex states in mesoscopic superconductors: stabilization by artificial pinning

Antagonistic symmetries of superconducting polygons and their induced multi-vortex states in a homogeneous magnetic field may lead to appearance of antivortices in the vicinity of the superconducting/normal state boundary (where mesoscopic confinement is particularly strong). Resulting vortex-antivortex (V-Av) molecules match the sample symmetry, but are extremely sensitive to defects and fluctuations and remain undetected experimentally. Here we show that V-Av states can re-appear deep in the superconducting state due to an array of perforations in a polygonal setting, surrounding a central hole. Such states are no longer caused by the symmetry of the sample but rather by pinning itself, which prevents the vortex-antivortex annihilation. As a result, even micron-size, clearly spaced V-Av molecules can be stabilized in large mesoscopic samples.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Theoretical study of the stable states of small carbon clusters Cn (n = 2-10)

Both even- and odd-numbered neutral carbon clusters Cn (n = 2-10) are systematically studied using the energy minimization method and the modified Brenner potential for the carbon-carbon interactions. Many stable configurations were found and several new isomers are predicted. For the lowest energy stable configurations we obtained their binding energies and bond lengths. We found that for n < 6 the linear isomer is the most stable one while for n > 5 the monocyclic isomer becomes the most stable. The latter was found to be regular for all studied clusters. The dependence of the binding energy for linear and cyclic clusters versus the cluster size n (n = 2-10) is found to be in good agreement with several previous calculations, in particular with ab initio calculations as well as with experimental data for n = 2-5.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Magnetic field dependence of the many-electron states in a magnetic quantum dot: The ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic transition

The electron-electron correlations in a many-electron (Ne = 1, 2,..., 5) quantum dot confined by a parabolic potential is investigated in the presence of a single magnetic ion and a perpendicular magnetic field. We obtained the energy spectrum and calculated the addition energy which exhibits cusps as function of the magnetic field. The vortex properties of the many-particle wave function of the ground state are studied and for large magnetic fields are related to composite fermions. The position of the impurity influences strongly the spin pair correlation function when the external field is large. In small applied magnetic field, the spin exchange energy together with the Zeeman terms leads to a ferromagnetic-antiferromagnetic(FM-AFM) transition. When the magnetic ion is shifted away from the center of the quantum dot a remarkable re-entrant AFM-FM-AFM transition is found as function of the strength of the Coulomb interaction. Thermodynamic quantities as the heat capacity, the magnetization, and the susceptibility are also studied. Cusps in the energy levels show up as peaks in the heat capacity and the susceptibility.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Cyclotron resonance of a magnetic quantum dot

The energy spectrum of a one-electron quantum dot doped with a single magnetic ion is studied in the presence of an external magnetic field. The allowed cyclotron resonance (CR) transitions are obtained together with their oscillator strength (OS) as function of the magnetic field, the position of the magnetic ion, and the quantum dot confinement strength. With increasing magnetic field a ferromagnetic - antiferromagnetic transition is found that results in clear signatures in the CR absorption. It leads to discontinuities in the transition energies and the oscillator strengths and an increase of the number of allowed transitions.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Control of the persistent currents in two interacting quantum rings through the Coulomb interaction and inter-ring tunneling

The persistent current in two vertically coupled quantum rings containing few electrons is studied. We find that the Coulomb interaction between the rings in the absence of tunneling affects the persistent current in each ring and the ground state configurations. Quantum tunneling between the rings alters significantly the ground state and the persistent current in the system.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Topologically trapped vortex molecules in Bose-Einstein condensates

In a numerical experiment based on Gross-Pitaevskii formalism, we demonstrate unique topological quantum coherence in optically trapped Bose-Einstein condensates (BECs). Exploring the fact that vortices in rotating BEC can be pinned by a geometric arrangement of laser beams, we show the parameter range in which vortex-antivortex molecules or multiquantum vortices are formed as a consequence of the optically imposed symmetry. Being low-energy states, we discuss the conditions for spontaneous nucleation of these unique molecules and their direct experimental observation, and provoke the potential use of the phase print of an antivortex or a multiquantum vortex when realized in unconventional circumstances.

cond-mat.other↗

arXiv2008

Stabilization of vortex-antivortex configurations in mesoscopic superconductors by engineered pinning

Symmetry-induced vortex-antivortex configurations in superconducting squares and triangles were predicted earlier; yet, they have not been resolved in experiment up to date. Namely, with vortex-antivortex states being highly unstable with respect to defects and temperature fluctuations, it is very unlikely that samples can be fabricated with the needed quality. Here we show how these drawbacks can be overcome by strategically placed nanoholes in the sample. As a result, (i) the actual shape of the sample becomes far less important, (ii) the stability of the vortex-antivortex configurations in general is substantially enhanced, and (iii) states comprising novel giant-antivortices (with higher winding numbers) become energetically favorable in perforated disks. In the analysis, we stress the potent of strong screening to destabilize the vortex-antivortex states. In turn, the screening-symmetry competition favors stabilization of new asymmetric ground states, which arise for small values of the effective Ginzburg-Landau parameter kappa.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Symmetric and non-symmetric vortex-antivortex molecules in fourfold superconducting geometry

In submicron superconducting squares in a homogeneous magnetic field, Ginzburg-Landau theory may admit solutions of the vortex-antivortex type, conforming with the symmetry of the sample [Chibotaru et al., Nature 408, 833 (2000)]. Here we show that these fascinating, but never experimentally observed states, can be enforced by artificial fourfold pinning, with their diagnostic features enhanced by orders of magnitude. The second-order nucleation of vortex-antivortex molecules can be driven either by temperature or applied magnetic field, with stable asymmetric vortex-antivortex equilibria found on its path.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Graphene: a perfect nanoballoon

We have performed a first-principles density functional theory investigation of the penetration of helium atoms through a graphene monolayer with defects. The relaxation of the graphene layer caused by the incoming helium atoms does not have a strong influence on the height of the energy barriers for penetration. For defective graphene layers, the penetration barriers decrease exponentially with the size of the defects but they are still sufficiently high that very large defects are needed to make the graphene sheet permeable for small atoms and molecules. This makes graphene a very promising material for the construction of nanocages and nanomembranes.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci↗

arXiv2008

Fluxonic Cellular Automata

We formulate a new concept for computing with quantum cellular automata composed of arrays of nanostructured superconducting devices. The logic states are defined by the position of two trapped flux quanta (vortices) in a 2x2 blind-hole-matrix etched on a mesoscopic superconducting square. Such small computational unit-cells are well within reach of current fabrication technology. In an array of unit-cells, the vortex configuration of one cell influences the penetrating flux lines in the neighboring cell through the screening currents. Alternatively, in conjoined cells, the information transfer can be strengthened by the interactions between the supercurrents in adjacent cells. Here we present the functioning logic gates based on this fluxonic cellular automata (FCA), where the logic operations are verified through theoretical simulations performed in the framework of the time-dependent Ginzburg-Landau theory. The input signals are defined by current loops placed on top of the two diagonal blind holes of the input cell. For given current-polarization, external flux lines are attracted or repelled by the loops, forming the '0' or '1' configuration. The read-out technology may be chosen from a large variety of modern vortex imaging methods, transport and LDOS measurements.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Modeling of chemical processes in the low pressure capacitive RF discharges in a mixture of Ar/C2H2

We study the properties of a capacitive 13.56 MHz discharge properties with a mixture of Ar/C2H2 taking into account the plasmochemistry and growth of heavy hydrocarbons. A hybrid model was developed to combine the kinetic description for electron motion and the fluid approach for negative and positive ions transport and plasmochemical processes. A significant change of plasma parameters related to injection of 5.8% portion of acetylene in argon was observed and analyzed. We found that the electronegativity of the mixture is about 30%. The densities of negatively and positively charged heavy hydrocarbons are sufficiently large to be precursors for the formation of nanoparticles in the discharge volume.

physics.plasm-ph↗

arXiv2008

Networks of quantum nanorings: programmable spintronic devices

An array of quantum rings with local (ring by ring) modulation of the spin orbit interaction (SOI) can lead to novel effects in spin state transformation of electrons. It is shown that already small (3x3, 5x5) networks are remarkably versatile from this point of view: Working in a given network geometry, the input current can be directed to any of the output ports, simply by changing the SOI strengths by external gate voltages. Additionally, the same network with different SOI strengths can be completely analogous to the Stern-Gerlach device, exhibiting spatial-spin entanglement.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Magnetic-field asymmetry of electron wave packet transmission in bent channels capacitively coupled to a metal gate

We study the electron wave packet moving through a bent channel. We demonstrate that the packet transmission probability becomes an uneven function of the magnetic field when the electron packet is capacitively coupled to a metal plate. The coupling occurs through a non-linear potential which translates a different kinetics of the transport for opposite magnetic field orientations into a different potential felt by the scattered electron.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Magnetic-field induced quantum-size cascades in superconducting nanowires

In high-quality nanowires, quantum confinement of the transverse electron motion splits the band of single-electron states in a series of subbands. This changes in a qualitative way the scenario of the magnetic-field induced superconductor-to-normal transition. We numerically solve the Bogoliubov-de Gennes equations for a clean metallic cylindrical nanowire at zero temperature in a parallel magnetic field and find that for diameters D < 10-15 nm, this transition occurs as a cascade of subsequent jumps in the order parameter (this is opposed to the smooth second-order phase transition in the mesoscopic regime). Each jump is associated with the depairing of electrons in one of the single-electron subbands. As a set of subbands contribute to the order parameter, the depairing process occurs as a cascade of jumps. We find pronounced quantum-size oscillations of the critical magnetic field with giant resonant enhancements. In addition to these orbital effects, the paramagnetic breakdown of Cooper pairing also contributes but only for smaller diameters, i. e., D < 5 nm.

cond-mat.supr-con↗