arXiv subjects

Ian Affleck

Publications and source records attributed to Ian Affleck.

At least 91 records · Page 5Linked to original sources

arXiv2009

Resonant Pair Tunneling in Double Quantum Dots

We present exact results on the non-equilibrium current fluctuations for 2 quantum dots in series throughout a crossover from non-Fermi liquid to Fermi liquid behavior described by the 2 impurity Kondo model. The result corresponds to resonant tunneling of carriers of charge $2e$ for a critical inter-impurity coupling. At low energy scales, the result can be understood from a Fermi liquid approach that we develop and use to also study non-equilibrium transport in an alternative double dot realization of the 2 impurity Kondo model under current experimental study.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Nonequilibrium Critical Behavior for Electron Tunneling through Quantum Dots in an Aharonov-Bohm Circuit

Double quantum dots can provide an experimental realization of the 2 impurity Kondo model which exhibits a non-Fermi liquid quantum critical point (QCP) at a special value of its parameters. We generalize our recent study of double quantum dots in series \cite{Sela08} to a parallel configuration with an Aharonov-Bohm flux. We present an exact universal result for the finite temperature and finite voltage conductance $G[V,T]$ along the crossover from the QCP to the low energy Fermi liquid phase. Compared to the series configuration, here generically $G[V,T] \ne G[-V,T]$, leading to current rectification.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Vortex Penetration into a Type II Superconductor due to a Mesoscopic External Current

Applying the London theory we study curved vortices produced by an external current near and parallel to the surface of a type II superconductor. By minimizing the energy functional we find the contour describing the hard core of the flux line, and predict the threshold current for entrance of the first vortex. We assume that the vortex entrance is allowed due to surface defects, despite the Bean-Livingston barrier. Compared to the usual situation with a homogeneous magnetic field, the main effect of the present geometry is that larger magnetic fields can be applied locally before vortices enter the superconducting sample. It is argued that this effect can be further enhanced in anisotropic superconductors.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Vortex interactions in a thin platelet superconductor

The thermal fluctations of vortices in a superconductor can be usefully mapped onto the quantum fluctations of a collection of bosons at T=0 moving in 2 dimensions. When the superconductor is a thin platelet with the magnetic field parallel to its surface, the interacting quantum bosons are effectively moving in 1 dimension, allowing for powerful Luttinger liquid methods to be applied. Here we consider how this 1 dimensional limit is approached, studying the interaction of vortices with the platelet surfaces and each other. Using realistic parameters and vortex interactions for an underdoped YBCO platelet we determine the scattering length, a, characterizing the low energy interaction of a vortex pair as a function of the platelet thickness. a determines the Luttinger parameter, g, for the quantum system at low densities, n_0: g -> 1-2an_0.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2008

Nonequilibrium Transport through Double Quantum Dots: Exact Results near Quantum Critical Point

We study a double quantum dot in the regime where each dot carries a spin-1/2. This system is described by the 2-impurity Kondo model, having a non-Fermi liquid fixed point for a critical value of the inter-impurity coupling. The Hamiltonian describing the vicinity of the critical point, including the relevant potential scattering perturbations, can be cast in quadratic form. This allows us to predict a universal scaling function for the finite temperature nonlinear conductance along the crossover from the critical point to the surrounding stable fixed points.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Friedel oscillations and the Kondo screening cloud

We show that the long distance charge density oscillations in a metal induced by a weakly coupled spin-1/2 magnetic impurity exhibiting the Kondo effect are given, at zero temperature, by a universal function F(r/xi_K) where r is the distance from the impurity and xi_K, the Kondo screening cloud size =v_F/T_K, where v_F is the Fermi velocity and T_K is the Kondo temperature. F is given by a Fourier-like transform of the T-matrix. Analytic expressions for F(r/xi_K) are derived in both limits r much less than xi_K and r much greater than xi_K and F is calculated for all r/xi_K using numerical methods.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Kondo Screening Cloud and Charge Quantization in Mesoscopic Devices

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Kondo screening cloud and the charge staircase in one-dimensional mesoscopic devices

We propose that the finite size of the Kondo screening cloud, xi_K, can be probed by measuring the charge quantization in a one-dimensional system coupled to a small quantum dot. When the chemical potential, mu in the system is varied at zero temperature, one should observe charge steps whose locations are at values of mu that are controlled by the Kondo effect when the system size L is comparable to xi_K. We show that, if the standard Kondo model is used, the ratio between the widths of the Coulomb blockade valleys with odd or even number of electrons is a universal scaling function of xi_K/L. If we take into account electron-electron interactions in a single-channel wire, this ratio also depends on the parameters of the effective Luttinger model; in addition, the scaling is weakly violated by a marginal bulk interaction. For the geometry of a quantum dot embedded in a ring, we show that the dependence of the charge steps on a magnetic flux through the ring is controlled by the size of the Kondo screening cloud.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2008

Exact edge singularities and dynamical correlations in spin-1/2 chains

Exact formulas for the singularities of the dynamical structure factor, S^{zz}(q,omega), of the S=1/2 xxz spin chain at all q and any anisotropy and magnetic field in the critical regime are derived, expressing the exponents in terms of the phase shifts which are known exactly from the Bethe ansatz solution. We also study the long time asymptotics of the self-correlation function <0|S_j^z(t)S_j^z(0)|0>. Utilizing these results to supplement very accurate time-dependent Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) for short to moderate times, we calculate S^{zz}(q,omega) to very high precision.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Spectral Function for the S=1 Heisenberg Antiferromagetic Chain

We study the spectral function, $S(k,ω)$ for the spin-1, one dimensional antiferromagnetic chain using a time-dependent density matrix renormalizaton group (DMRG) numerical method. We develop methods for extrapolating the time dependent correlation functions to larger times in order to enhance the frequency resolution. The resulting spectral functions are impressively precise and accurate. Our results confirm many qualitative expectations from non-linear $σ$ model methods and test them quantitatively. The critical wave-vector at which the single particle excitation emerges from the 2-particle continuum is estimated to be $0.23π-0.24π$.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Kondo Effect in Spin Chains

The free electron Kondo problem can be described by a one-dimensional (1D) model because only the s-wave part of the electronic wave-function is affected by the Kondo coupling. Since only the spin degrees of freedom are involved in the Kondo interaction, and due to spin-charge separation in 1D, the universal low energy long distance physics of the Kondo model also arises when a magnetic impurity is coupled to the end of a gap-less antiferromagnetic J_1-J_2 spin-1/2 chain, where J_1(J_2) is the (next-)nearest neighbor coupling. Experimental realizations of such spin chain models are possible and using various analytical and numerical techniques, we present a detailed and quantitative comparison between the usual free electron Kondo model and such spin chain versions of the Kondo problem. For the gap-less J_1-J_2 spin chain two cases are studied, with zero next nearest neighbor coupling, J_2=0, and with a critical second neighbor coupling, J_2=J_2c. We first focus on the spin chain impurity model at J_2c~0.2412 where a bulk marginal coupling present in the spin chain model for J_2<J_2c vanishes. At J_2c, the usual Kondo physics is recovered in the spin chain model in the low energy regime. We then analyze the nearest-neighbor model (J_2=0) where a new kind of Kondo effect occurs due to the presence of the bulk marginal coupling. This marginal coupling leads to a slower variation of the Kondo temperature T_K with the bare Kondo coupling. In the exact Bethe ansatz solution of this spin chain impurity model (J_2=0) Frahm and Zvyagin noted this relation as well as the connection to the Kondo problem. Here, we provide further evidence for the connection to Kondo physics and present low temperature QMC results for the impurity susceptibility that further support this connection.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Bipairing and the Stripe Phase in 4-Leg Ladders

Density Matrix Renormalization Group (DMRG) calculations on 4-leg t-J and Hubbard ladders have found a phase exhibiting "stripes" at intermediate doping. Such behavior can be viewed as generalized Friedel oscillations, with wavelength equal to the inverse hole density, induced by the open boundary conditions. So far, this phase has not been understood using the conventional weak coupling bosonization approach. Based on studies from a general bosonization proof, finite size spectrum, an improved analysis of weak coupling renormalization group equations and the decoupled 2-leg ladders limit, we here find new types of phases of 4-leg ladders which exhibit "stripes". They also inevitably exhibit "bipairing", meaning that there is a gap to add 1 or 2 electrons (but not 4) and that both single electron and electron pair correlation functions decay exponentially while correlation functions of charge 4 operators exhibit power-law decay. Whether or not bipairing occurs in the stripe phase found in DMRG is an important open question.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2007

Quantum Impurity Entanglement

Entanglement in J_1-J_2, S=1/2 quantum spin chains with an impurity is studied using analytic methods as well as large scale numerical density matrix renormalization group methods. The entanglement is investigated in terms of the von Neumann entropy, S=-Tr rho_A log rho_A, for a sub-system A of size r of the chain. The impurity contribution to the uniform part of the entanglement entropy, S_{imp}, is defined and analyzed in detail in both the gapless, J_2 <= J_2^c, as well as the dimerized phase, J_2>J_2^c, of the model. This quantum impurity model is in the universality class of the single channel Kondo model and it is shown that in a quite universal way the presence of the impurity in the gapless phase, J_2 <= J_2^c, gives rise to a large length scale, xi_K, associated with the screening of the impurity, the size of the Kondo screening cloud. The universality of Kondo physics then implies scaling of the form S_{imp}(r/xi_K,r/R) for a system of size R. Numerical results are presented clearly demonstrating this scaling. At the critical point, J_2^c, an analytic Fermi liquid picture is developed and analytic results are obtained both at T=0 and T>0. In the dimerized phase an appealing picure of the entanglement is developed in terms of a thin soliton (TS) ansatz and the notions of impurity valence bonds (IVB) and single particle entanglement (SPE) are introduced. The TS-ansatz permits a variational calculation of the complete entanglement in the dimerized phase that appears to be exact in the thermodynamic limit at the Majumdar-Ghosh point, J_2=J_1/2, and surprisingly precise even close to the critical point J_2^c. In appendices the relation between the finite temperature entanglement entropy, S(T), and the thermal entropy, S_{th}(T), is discussed and and calculated at the MG-point using the TS-ansatz.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Fermi Liquid Theory for the Persistent Current Past a Side-Coupled Quantum Dot

A Fermi Liquid theory is developed for the persistent current past a side coupled quantum dot yielding analytical predictions for the behavior of the first two harmonics of the persistent current as a function of applied magnetic flux. The quantum dot is assumed weakly coupled to a ring of non-interacting electrons and thus appropriately described as a Kondo impurity. The theory is valid at weak Kondo couplings in the regime where the system size, L, is much larger than the size of the Kondo screening cloud, xi_K. The predictions of the Fermi Liquid theory are compared to exact diagonalization results for the persistent current that lend support to the existence of a regime correctly described by this theory. The finite temperature conductance, at T << T_K is also calculated using Fermi liquid theory allowing the definition of a ``Wilson ratio" relating the conductance and the persistent current.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Impurity Entanglement Entropy and the Kondo Screening Cloud

The screening of an impurity spin by conduction electrons is associated with the formation of a large Kondo screening cloud, of size xi_K. We study the quantum entanglement between a region of size r surrounding the impurity and the rest of the sample, (of total size R) using Density Matrix Renormalization Group and analytic methods. The corresponding "impurity entanglement entropy", S_{imp}, is shown to be a universal scaling function of r/xi_K and r/R. We calculate this universal function using Fermi liquid theory in the regime xi_K << r.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2006

Boundary effects in the critical scaling of entanglement entropy in 1D systems

We present exact diagonalization and density matrix renormalization group results for the entanglement entropy of critical spin-1/2 XXZ chains. We find that open boundary conditions induce an alternating term in both the energy density and the entanglement entropy which are approximately proportional, decaying away from the boundary with a power-law. The power varies with anisotropy along the XXZ critical line and is corrected by a logarithmic factor, which we calculate analytically, at the isotropic point. A heuristic resonating valence bond explanation is suggested.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Kondo screening in a magnetically frustrated nanostructure: Exact results on a stable, non-Fermi-liquid phase

Triangular symmetry stabilizes a novel non-Fermi-liquid phase in the three-impurity Kondo model with frustrating antiferromagnetic interactions between half-integer impurity spins. The phase arises without fine-tuning of couplings, and is stable against magnetic fields and particle-hole symmetry breaking. We find a conformal field theory describing this phase, verify it using the numerical renormalization group, and extract various exact, universal low-energy properties. Signatures predicted in electrical transport may be testable in scanning tunneling microscopy or quantum-dot experiments.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2005

Critical phenomena and quantum phase transition in long range Heisenberg antiferromagnetic chains

Antiferromagnetic Hamiltonians with short-range, non-frustrating interactions are well-known to exhibit long range magnetic order in dimensions, $d\geq 2$ but exhibit only quasi long range order, with power law decay of correlations, in d=1 (for half-integer spin). On the other hand, non-frustrating long range interactions can induce long range order in d=1. We study Hamiltonians in which the long range interactions have an adjustable amplitude lambda, as well as an adjustable power-law $1/|x|^α$, using a combination of quantum Monte Carlo and analytic methods: spin-wave, large-N non-linear sigma model, and renormalization group methods. We map out the phase diagram in the lambda-alpha plane and study the nature of the critical line separating the phases with long range and quasi long range order. We find that this corresponds to a novel line of critical points with continuously varying critical exponents and a dynamical exponent, z<1.

cond-mat.str-el↗