arXiv subjects

Gerd Schoen

Publications and source records attributed to Gerd Schoen.

At least 19 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2011

Fluctuation theorem for a double quantum dot coupled to a point-contact electrometer

We study single-electron transport through a double quantum dot (DQD) monitored by a capacitively coupled quantum point-contact (QPC) electrometer. We derive the full counting statistics for the coupled DQD - QPC system and obtain the joint probability distribution of the charges transferred through the DQD and the QPC consistent with the fluctuation theorem (FT). The system can be described by a master equation with tunneling rates depending of the counting fields and satisfying a generalized local detailed-balance relation. Furthermore, we derive universal relations between the non-linear corrections to the current and noise, which can be verified in experiment.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2002

Conductance of a hydrogen molecule

Recently Smit et al. [Nature 419, 906 (2002)] have reported that a single hydrogen molecule can form a bridge between Pt electrodes, which has a conductance close to one quantum unit, carried by a single channel. We present density functional calculations explaining these experimental findings. We show that the symmetry of the molecular orbitals selects a single conduction channel. The transmission of this channel is close to unity due to a combination of the charge transfer between hydrogen and the Pt contacts and the strong hybridization between the bonding state of the molecule and the d-band of the Pt leads.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2001

Superconducting single-charge transistor in a tunable dissipative environment

We study a superconducting single-charge transistor, where the coherence of Cooper pair tunneling is destroyed by the coupling to a tunable dissipative environment. Sequential tunneling and cotunneling processes are analyzed to construct the shape of the conductance peaks and their dependence on the dissipation and temperature. Unexpected features are found due to a cross-over between two distinct regimes, one `environment-assisted' the other `environment-dominated'. Several of the predictions have been confirmed by recent experiments. The model and results apply also to the dynamics of Josephson junction quantum bits on a conducting ground plane, thus explaining the influence of dissipation on the coherence.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2001

Decoherence and dephasing in coupled Josephson-junction qubits

We investigate the decoherence and dephasing of two coupled Josephson qubits. With the interaction between the qubits being generated by current-current correlations, two different situations in which the qubits are coupled to the same bath, or to two independent baths, are considered. Upon focussing on dissipation being caused by the fluctuations of voltage sources, the relaxation and dephasing rates are explicitly evaluated. Analytical and numerical results for the coupled qubits dynamics are provided.

cond-mat↗

arXiv2000

Quantum state engineering with Josephson-junction devices

We review recent theoretical and experimental progress in quantum state engineering with Josephson junction devices. The concepts of quantum computing have stimulated an increased activity in the field. Either charges or phases (fluxes) of the Josephson systems can be used as quantum degrees of freedom, and their quantum state can be manipulated coherently by voltage and current pulses. They thus can serve as qubits, and quantum logic gates can be performed. Their phase coherence time, which is limited, e.g., by the electromagnetic fluctuations in the control circuit, is long enough to allow a series of these manipulations. The quantum measurement process performed by a single-electron transistor, a SQUID, or further nanoelectronic devices is analyzed in detail.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2000

Non-equilibrium supercurrent through mesoscopic ferromagnetic weak links

We consider a mesoscopic normal metal, where the spin degeneracy is lifted by a ferromagnetic exchange field or Zeeman splitting, coupled to two superconducting reservoirs. As a function of the exchange field or the distance between the reservoirs, the supercurrent through this device oscillates with an exponentially decreasing envelope. This phenomenon is similar to the tuning of a supercurrent by a non-equilibrium quasiparticle distribution between two voltage-biased reservoirs. We propose a device combining the exchange field and non-equilibrium effects, which allows us to observe a range of novel phenomena. For instance, part of the field-suppressed supercurrent can be recovered by a voltage between the additional probes.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2000

Statistics and noise in a quantum measurement process

The quantum measurement process by a single-electron transistor or a quantum point contact coupled to a quantum bit is studied. We find a unified description of the statistics of the monitored quantity, the current, in the regime of strong measurement and expect this description to apply for a wide class of quantum measurements. We derive the probability distributions for the current and charge in different stages of the process. In the parameter regime of the strong measurement the current develops a telegraph-noise behavior which can be detected in the noise spectrum.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Nano-electronic Realizations of Quantum Bits

Quantum computers could perform certain tasks which no classical computer can perform in acceptable times. Josephson junction circuits can serve as building blocks of quantum computers. We discuss and compare two designs, which employ charge or magnetic flux degrees of freedom to process quantum information. In both cases, elementary single-qubit and two-qubit logic gates can be performed by voltage or flux pulses. The coherence time is long enough to allow a series of such operations. We also discuss the read-out, i.e., a quantum measurement process. In the charge case it is accomplished by coupling a single-electron transistor to the qubit.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Andreev Reflection in Strong Magnetic Fields

We have studied the interplay of Andreev reflection and cyclotron motion of quasiparticles at a superconductor-normal-metal interface with a strong magnetic field applied parallel to the interface. Bound states are formed due to the confinement introduced both by the external magnetic field and the superconducting gap. These bound states are a coherent superposition of electron and hole edge excitations similar to those realized in finite quantum-Hall samples. We find the energy spectrum for these Andreev edge states and calculate transport properties.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1999

Josephson-Junction Qubits and the Readout Process by Single-Electron Transistors

Several physical realizations of quantum bits have been proposed. Of those, nano-electronic devices appear most suitable for large-scale integration and potential applications. We suggest to use low-capacitance Josephson junctions, exploiting the coherence of tunneling in the superconducting state combined with the possibility to control individual charges by Coulomb blockade effects (cond-mat/9706016,cond-mat/9808067). These systems constitute quantum bits, with logical states differing by one Cooper-pair charge. Single- and two-bit operations can be performed by applying a sequence of gate voltages. The phase coherence time is sufficiently long to allow a series of these steps. In addition to the manipulation of qubits the resulting quantum state has to be read out. This can be accomplished by coupling a single-electron transistor capacitively to the qubit (cond-mat/9801125). To describe this quantum measurement process we study the time evolution of the density matrix of the coupled system. Only when a transport voltage is turned on, the transistor destroys the phase coherence of the qubit; in this case within a short time. The measurement is accomplished after a longer time scale, when the signal resolves the different quantum states. At still longer times the measurement process itself destroys the information about the initial state. We present a suitable set of system parameters, which can be realized by present-day technology.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Josephson-Junction Qubits with Controlled Couplings

Low-capacitance Josephson junctions, where Cooper pairs tunnel coherently while Coulomb blockade effects allow the control of the total charge, provide physical realizations of quantum bits (qubits), with logical states differing by one Cooper-pair charge on an island. The single- and two-bit operations required for quantum computation can be performed by applying a sequence of gate voltages. A basic design, described earlier [cond-mat/9706016], is sufficient to demonstrate the principles, but requires a high precision time control, and residual two-bit interactions introduce errors. Here we suggest a new nano-electronic design, close to ideal, where the Josephson junctions are replaced by controllable SQUIDs. This relaxes the requirements on the time control and system parameters substantially, and the two-bit coupling can be switched exactly between zero and a non-zero value for arbitrary pairs. The phase coherence time is sufficiently long to allow a series of operations.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1998

Quantum Measurements Performed with a Single-Electron Transistor

Low-capacitance Josephson junction systems as well as coupled quantum dots, in a parameter range where single charges can be controlled, provide physical realizations of quantum bits, discussed in connection with quantum computing. The necessary manipulation of the quantum states can be controlled by applied gate voltages. In addition, the state of the system has to be read out. Here we suggest to measure the quantum state by coupling a single-electron transistor to the q-bit. As long as no transport voltage is applied, the transistor influences the quantum dynamics of the q-bit only weakly. We have analyzed the time evolution of the density matrix of the transistor and q-bit when a voltage is turned on. For values of the capacitances and temperatures which can be realized by modern nano-techniques the process constitutes a quantum measurement process.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1997

A New Quantum Phase Transition in the Coupled Quantum Dots System

We study two quantum dots in the limit of strong dot-lead coupling and weak dot-dot tunneling. The model maps on Ising-coupled Kondo impurities. We argue that a new quantum critical fixed point exists at an intermediate value of the mutual capacitance, supporting non-Fermi liquid behaviour. We construct the total conductance across the double dot structure. It exhibits a strongly peaked behaviour as a function of the mutual capacitance, gate voltage, and temperature.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1997

Quantum Manipulations of Small Josephson Junctions

Low-capacitance Josephson junction arrays in the parameter range where single charges can be controlled are suggested as possible physical realizations of the elements which have been considered in the context of quantum computers. We discuss single and multiple quantum bit systems. The systems are controlled by applied gate voltages, which also allow the necessary manipulation of the quantum states. We estimate that the phase coherence time is sufficiently long for experimental demonstration of the principles of quantum computation.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv1997

The Superconductor-Insulator Transition in a Tunable Dissipative Environment

We study the influence of a tunable dissipative environment on the dynamics of Josephson junction arrays near the superconductor-insulator transition. The experimental realization of the environment is a two dimensional electron gas coupled capacitively to the array. This setup allows for the well-controlled tuning of the dissipation by changing the resistance of the two dimensional electron gas. The capacitive coupling cuts off the dissipation at low frequencies. We determine the phase diagram and calculate the temperature and dissipation dependence of the array conductivity. We find good agreement with recent experimental results.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1997

Duality in Josephson Junction Arrays

Various properties of mesoscopic two-dimensional Josephson junction arrays are reviewed. Particular attention is paid to structure of the topological excitations, charges and vortices, which are shown to be dual to each other. This duality persists in the presence of external magnetic fields and offset charges, which influence vortices and charges in an equivalent way. A double-layer junction array is also considered, where an even further reaching duality is discovered.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv1996

Supercurrent in a mesoscopic proximity wire

Recent experiments on the proximity induced supercurrent in mesoscopic normal wires revealed a surprising temperature dependence. They suggest clean-limit behavior although the wires are strongly disordered. We demonstrate that this unexpected scaling is actually contained in the conventional description of diffusive superconductors and find excellent agreement with the experimental results. In addition we propose a SQUID-like proximity structure for further experimental investigations of the effects in question.

cond-mat↗

arXiv1996

Local Density of States in a Dirty Normal Metal connected to a Superconductor

A superconductor in contact with a normal metal not only induces superconducting correlations, known as proximity effect, but also modifies the density of states at some distance from the interface. These modifications can be resolved experimentally in microstructured systems. We, therefore, study the local density of states $N(E,x)$ of a superconductor - normal metal heterostructure. We find a suppression of $N(E,x)$ at small energies, which persists to large distances. If the normal metal forms a thin layer of thickness $L_n$, a minigap in the density of states appears which is of the order of the Thouless energy $\sim \hbar D/L_n^2$. A magnetic field suppresses the features. We find good agreement with recent experiments of Guéron {\it et al.}

cond-mat↗