arXiv subjects

Frithjof B. Anders

Publications and source records attributed to Frithjof B. Anders.

At least 73 records · Page 4Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

On steady-state currents through nano-devices: a scattering-states numerical renormalization group approach to open quantum systems

We propose a numerical renormalization group (NRG) approach to steady-state currents through nano-devices. A discretization of the scattering-states continuum ensures the correct boundary condition for an open quantum system. We introduce two degenerate Wilson chains for current carrying left and right-moving electrons reflecting time-reversal symmetry in the absence of a finite bias $V$. We employ the time-dependent NRG to evolve the known steady-state density operator for a non-interacting junction into the density operator of the fully interacting nano-device at finite bias. We calculate the temperature dependent current as function of $V$ and applied external magnetic field using a recently developed algorithm for non-equilibrium spectral functions.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Conserving approximations in direct perturbation theory: new semianalytical impurity solvers and their application to general lattice problems

For the treatment of interacting electrons in crystal lattices approximations based on the picture of effective sites, coupled in a self-consistent fashion, have proven very useful. Particularly in the presence of strong local correlations, a local approach to the problem, combining a powerful method for the short ranged interactions with the lattice propagation part of the dynamics, determines the quality of results to a large extent. For a considerable time the non crossing approximation (NCA) in direct perturbation theory, an approach originally developed by Keiter for the Anderson impurity model, built a standard for the description of the local dynamics of interacting electrons. In the last couple of years exact methods like the numerical renormalization group (NRG) as pioneered by Wilson, have surpassed this approximation as regarding the description of the low energy regime. We present an improved approximation level of direct perturbation theory for finite Coulomb repulsion U, the crossing approximation one (CA1) and discuss its connections with other generalizations of NCA. CA1 incorporates all processes up to fourth order in the hybridization strength V in a self-consistent skeleton expansion, retaining the full energy dependence of the vertex functions. We reconstruct the local approach to the lattice problem from the point of view of cumulant perturbation theory in a very general way and discuss the proper use of impurity solvers for this purpose. Their reliability can be tested in applications to e.g. the Hubbard model and the Anderson-lattice model. We point out shortcomings of existing impurity solvers and improvements gained with CA1 in this context. This paper is dedicated to the memory of Hellmut Keiter.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Dynamics of large anisotropic spin in a sub-ohmic dissipative environment close to a quantum-phase transition

We investigate the dynamics of a large anisotropic spin whose easy-axis component is coupled to a bosonic bath with a spectral function $J(\w)\propto ω^s$. Such a spin complex might be realized in a single-molecular magnet. Using the non-perturbative renormalization group, we calculate the line of quantum-phase transitions in the sub-ohmic regime ($s<1$). These quantum-phase transitions only occur for integer spin $J$. For half-integer $J$, the low temperature fixed-point is identical to the fixed-point of the spin-boson model without quantum-tunneling between the two levels. Short-time coherent oscillations in the spin decay prevail even into the localized phase in the sub-ohmic regime. The influence of the reorganization energy and the recurrence time on the decoherence in the absence of quantum-tunneling is discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Influence of disorder on the transport properties of heavy-fermion systems

The influence of substitutional disorder on the transport properties of heavy-fermion systems is investigated. We extend the dynamical mean-field theory treatment of the periodic Anderson model (PAM) to a coherent-potential approximation for disordered strongly correlated electron systems. Considering two distinct local environments of a binary alloy $A_c B_{1-c}$ with arbitrary concentration $c$, we explore two types of disorder: on the f site and on the ligand sites. We calculate the spectral functions and self-energies for the disordered PAM as well as the temperature dependence of the resistivity and the thermoelectric power. The characteristic concentration dependence as well as the order of magnitude of transport properties are reproduced for metallic heavy-fermion systems and Kondo insulators. In particular, sign changes of the Seebeck coefficient as function of temperature and concentration are observed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Zero-bias conductance in carbon nanotube quantum dots

We present numerical renormalization group calculations for the zero-bias conductance of quantum dots made from semiconducting carbon nanotubes. These explain and reproduce the thermal evolution of the conductance for different groups of orbitals, as the dot-lead tunnel coupling is varied and the system evolves from correlated Kondo behavior to more weakly correlated regimes. For integer fillings $N=1,2,3$ of an SU(4) model, we find universal scaling behavior of the conductance that is distinct from the standard SU(2) universal conductance, and concurs quantitatively with experiment. Our results also agree qualitatively with experimental differential conductance maps.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Equilibrium and non-equilibrium dynamics of the sub-ohmic spin-boson model

Employing the non-perturbative numerical renormalization group method, we study the dynamics of the spin-boson model, which describes a two-level system coupled to a bosonic bath with spectral density J(omega) propto omega^s. We show that, in contrast to the case of ohmic damping, the delocalized phase of the sub-ohmic model cannot be characterized by a single energy scale only, due to the presence of a non-trivial quantum phase transition. In the strongly sub-ohmic regime, s<<1, weakly damped coherent oscillations on short time scales are possible even in the localized phase - this is of crucial relevance, e.g., for qubits subject to electromagnetic noise.

cond-mat.stat-mech↗

arXiv2006

Transport properties of heavy-fermion systems

We calculate the temperature dependence of the transport properties of heavy-fermion systems such as resistivity, optical conductivity, thermoelectric power, the electronic part of the thermal conductivity, and the "figure of merit." The one-particle properties of the periodic Anderson model are obtained within dynamical mean-field theory for the paramagnetic phase using Wilson's numerical renormalization group and the modified perturbation theory as impurity solvers. We discuss the dependence of the transport properties on the band filling, valence, and Coulomb correlation $U$. The typical experimental findings can be reproduced and understood, in particular the temperature dependence of the resistance and the thermoelectric power and their absolute magnitude for both metallic heavy-fermion systems and Kondo insulators. For large values of $U$, we find a negative Seebeck coefficient $S(T)$ for an intermediate-temperature regime as observed in $S(T)$ of CeCu$_2$Si$_2$. We analyze different estimates for possible characteristic low-temperature scales of the lattice. Our results indicate a one-parameter scaling of thermodynamic and some transport properties with a strongly occupancy-dependent scaling function. This is consistent with a strong-coupling local Fermi-liquid fixed point of the effective site governing all low-lying excitations for $T\to 0$ in the paramagnetic phase.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

A Numerical Renormalization Group approach to Green's Functions for Quantum Impurity Models

We present a novel technique for the calculation of dynamical correlation functions of quantum impurity systems in equilibrium with Wilson's numerical renormalization group. Our formulation is based on a complete basis set of the Wilson chain. In contrast to all previous methods, it does not suffer from overcounting of excitation. By construction, it always fulfills sum rules for spectral functions. Furthermore, it accurately reproduces local thermodynamic expectation values, such as occupancy and magnetization, obtained directly from the numerical renormalization group calculations.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Spin Precession and Real Time Dynamics in the Kondo Model: A Time-Dependent Numerical Renormalization-Group Study

A detailed derivation of the recently proposed time-dependent numerical renormalization-group (TD-NRG) approach to nonequilibrium dynamics in quantum impurity systems is presented. We demonstrate that the method is suitable for fermionic as well as bosonic baths. A comparison with exact analytical results for the charge relaxation in the resonant-level model and for dephasing in the spin-boson model establishes the accuracy of the method. The real-time dynamics of a single spin coupled to both types of baths is investigated. We use the TD-NRG to calculate the spin relaxation and spin precession of a single Kondo impurity. The short- and long-time dynamics is studied as a function of temperature in the ferromagnetic and antiferromagnetic regimes. The short-time dynamics agrees very well with analytical results obtained at second order in the exchange coupling $J$. In the ferromagnetic regime, the long-time spin decay is described by the scaling variable $x = 2ρ_F J(T) T t$. In the antiferromagnetic regime it is governed for $T < T_K$ by the Kondo time scale $1/T_K$. Here $ρ_F$ is the conduction-electron density of states and $T_K$ is the Kondo temperature. Results for spin precession are obtained by rotating the external magnetic field from the x axis to the z axis.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Can competition between crystal field and Kondo effect cause non-Fermi liquid like behavior?

The recently reported unusual behavior of the static and dynamical magnetic susceptibility as well as the specific heat in Ce$_{1-x}$La$_{x}$Ni$_{9}$Ge$_4$ has raised the question of a possible non-Fermi liquid ground state in this material. We argue that for a consistent physical picture the crystal field splitting of two low lying magnetic doublets of the Ce $4f$-shell must be taken into account. Furthermore, we show that for a splitting of the order of the low temperature scale $T^*$ of the system a crossover behavior between an SU(4) and an SU(2) Kondo effect is found. The screening of the two doublets occurs on different temperature scales leading to a different behavior of the magnetic susceptibility and the specific heat at low temperatures. The experimentally accessible temperature regime down to 50mK still lies in the extended crossover regime into a strong coupling Fermi-liquid fixed point.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Coulomb blockade and Non-Fermi-liquid behavior in quantum dots

The non-Fermi-liquid properties of an ultrasmall quantum dot coupled to a lead and to a quantum box are investigated. Tuning the ratio of the tunneling amplitudes to the lead and box, we find a line of two-channel Kondo fixed points for arbitrary Coulomb repulsion on the dot, governing the transition between two distinct Fermi-liquid regimes. The Fermi liquids are characterized by different values of the conductance. For an asymmetric dot, spin and charge degrees of freedom are entangled: a continuous transition from a spin to a charge two-channel Kondo effect evolves. The crossover temperature to the two-channel Kondo effect is greatly enhanced away from the local-moment regime, making this exotic effect accessible in realistic quantum-dot devices.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Real-time dynamics in Quantum Impurity Systems: A Time-dependent Numerical Renormalization Group Approach

We develop a general approach to the nonequilibrium dynamics of quantum impurity systems for arbitrary coupling strength. The numerical renormalization group is used to generate a complete basis set necessary for the correct description of the time evolution. We benchmark our method with the exact analytical solution for the resonant-level model. As a first application, we investigate the equilibration of a quantum dot subject to a sudden change of the gate voltage and external magnetic field. Two distinct relaxation times are identified for the spin and charge dynamics.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

On X-ray-singularities in the f-electron spectral function of the Falicov-Kimball model

The f-electron spectral function of the Falicov-Kimball model is calculated within the dynamical mean-field theory using the numerical renormalization group method as the impurity solver. Both the Bethe lattice and the hypercubic lattice are considered at half filling. For small U we obtain a single-peaked f-electron spectral function, which --for zero temperature-- exhibits an algebraic (X-ray) singularity ($|ω|^{-α}$) for $ω\to 0$. The characteristic exponent $α$ depends on the Coulomb (Hubbard) correlation U. This X-ray singularity cannot be observed when using alternative (Keldysh-based) many-body approaches. With increasing U, $α$ decreases and vanishes for sufficiently large U when the f-electron spectral function develops a gap and a two-peak structure (metal-insulator transition).

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Renormalization Group Approach to Spectral Properties of the Two-Channel Anderson Impurity Model

The impurity Green function and dynamical susceptibilties for the two-channel Anderson impurity model are calculated. An exact expression for the self-energy of the impurity Green function is derived. The imaginary part of the self-energy scales as $\sqrt{|\w/T_K|}$ for $T\to 0$ serving as a hallmark for non-Fermi behavior. The many-body resonance is pinned to a universal value $1/(2πΔ)$ at $\w=0$. Its shape becomes increasingly more symmetric for the Kondo-regimes of the model. The dynamical susceptibilities are governed by two energy scales $T_K$ and $T_h$ and approach a constant value for $\w\to 0$, whereas relation $χ''(\w)\propto \w$ holds for the single channel model.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2004

Coulomb blockade and Quantum Critical Points in Quantum Dots

An ultrasmall quantum dot coupled to a lead and to a quantum box (a large quantum dot) is investigated. Tuning the tunneling amplitudes to the lead and box, we find a line of unstable non-Fermi-liquid fixed points as function of the gate potentials of the quantum dots, extending to arbitrary charging energies on the small and large quantum dots. These quantum-critical fixed points possess a finite residual entropy. They govern the cross over from one Fermi-liquid regime to another, characterized by distinct (high and low) conductance values.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2004

High Energy Dynamics of the Single Impurity Anderson Model

The quantitative control of the dynamic correlations of single impurity Anderson models is essential in several very active fields. We analyze the one-particle Green function with a constant energy resolution by dynamic density-matrix renormalization. In contrast to other approaches, sharp dominant resonances at high energies are found. Their origin and importance are discussed.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2003

The Coulomb Blockade in Quantum Boxes

The charging of a quantum box connected to a lead by a single-mode point contact is solved for arbitrary temperatures, tunneling amplitudes, and gate voltages, using a variant of Wilson's numerical renormalization group. The charge inside the box and the capacitance of the junction are calculated on equal footing for all physical regimes, including weak tunneling, near perfect transmission, and the crossover regime in between. At the charge plateaus, perturbation theory is found to break down at fairly small tunneling amplitudes. Near perfect transmission, we confirm Matveev's scenario for the smearing of the Coulomb-blockade staircase. A surprising reentrance of the Coulomb-blockade staircase is found for large tunneling amplitudes. At the degeneracy points, we obtain two-channel Kondo behavior directly from the Coulomb-blockade Hamiltonian, without the restriction to two charge configurations or the introduction of an effective cutoff.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2003

Enhancement of the Two-channel Kondo Effect in Single-Electron boxes

The charging of a quantum box, coupled to a lead by tunneling through a single resonant level, is studied near the degeneracy points of the Coulomb blockade. Combining Wilson's numerical renormalization-group method with perturbative scaling approaches, the corresponding low-energy Hamiltonian is solved for arbitrary temperatures, gate voltages, tunneling rates, and energies of the impurity level. Similar to the case of a weak tunnel barrier, the shape of the charge step is governed at low temperatures by the non-Fermi-liquid fixed point of the two-channel Kondo effect. However, the associated Kondo temperature TK is strongly modified. Most notably, TK is proportional to the width of the level if the transmission through the impurity is close to unity at the Fermi energy, and is no longer exponentially small in one over the tunneling matrix element. Focusing on a particle-hole symmetric level, the two-channel Kondo effect is found to be robust against the inclusion of an on-site repulsion on the level. For a large on-site repulsion and a large asymmetry in the tunneling rates to box and to the lead, there is a sequence of Kondo effects: first the local magnetic moment that forms on the level undergoes single-channel screening, followed by two-channel overscreening of the charge fluctuations inside the box.

cond-mat.str-el↗