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J. Rech

Publications and source records attributed to J. Rech.

At least 37 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

Negative delta-$T$ noise in the Fractional Quantum Hall effect

We study the current correlations of fractional quantum Hall edges at the output of a quantum point contact (QPC) subjected to a temperature gradient. This out-of-equilibrium situation gives rise to a form of temperature-activated shot noise, dubbed delta-$T$ noise. We show that the tunneling of Laughlin quasiparticles leads to a negative delta-$T$ noise, in stark contrast with electron tunneling. Moreover, varying the transmission of the QPC or applying a voltage bias across the Hall bar may flip the sign of this noise contribution, yielding signatures which can be accessed experimentally.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Microscopic theory of spin transport at the interface between the superconductor and a ferromagnetic insulator

We theoretically investigate spin transport at the interface between the ferromagnetic insulator(FI) and a superconductor(SC). Considering a simple FI-SC interface model, we derive formulas for the spin current and spin-current noise induced by microwave irradiation (spin pumping) or the temperature gradient (the spin Seebeck effect). We show how the superconducting coherence factor affects the temperature dependence of the spin current. We also calculate the spin-current noise in thermal equilibrium and in non-equilibrium states induced by the spin pumping, and compare them quantitatively for an yttrium-iron-garnet-NbN interface.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Finite frequency noise in a normal metal - topological superconductor junction

A topological superconductor nanowire bears a Majorana bound state at each of its ends, leading to unique transport properties. As a way to probe these, we study the finite frequency noise of a biased junction between a normal metal and a topological superconductor nanowire. We use the non-equilibrium Keldysh formalism to compute the finite frequency emission and absorption noise to all order in the tunneling amplitude, for bias voltages below and above the superconducting gap. We observe noticeable structures in the absorption and emission noise, which we can relate to simple transport processes. The presence of the Majorana bound state is directly related to a characteristic behavior of the noise spectrum at low frequency. We further compute the noise measurable with a realistic setup, based on the inductive coupling to a resonant LC circuit, and discuss the impact of the detector temperature. We have also computed the emission noise for a non-topological system with a resonant level, exhibiting a zero-energy Andreev bound state, in order to show the specificities of the topological case. Our results offer an original tool for the further characterization of the presence of Majorana bound states in condensed matter systems.

cond-mat.supr-con

Giant shot noise from Majorana zero modes in topological trijunctions

The clear-cut experimental identification of Majorana bound states in transport measurements still poses experimental challenges. We here show that the zero-energy Majorana state formed at a junction of three topological superconductor wires is directly responsible for giant shot noise amplitudes, in particular at low voltages and for small contact transparency. The only intrinsic noise limitation comes from the current-induced dephasing rate due to multiple Andreev reflection processes.

cond-mat.supr-con

Hong-Ou-Mandel characterization of multiply charged Levitons

We review and develop recent results regarding Leviton excitations generated in topological states of matter - such as integer and fractional quantum Hall edge channels - and carrying a charge multiple of the electronic one. The peculiar features associated to these clean and robust emerging excitations can be detected through current correlation measurements. In particular, relevant information can be extracted from the noise signal in generalized Hong-Ou-Mandel experiments, where Levitons with different charges collide against each other at a quantum point contact. We describe this quantity both in the framework of the photo-assisted noise formalism and in terms of a very interesting and transparent picture based on wave-packet overlap.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Unified scattering approach to Josephson current and thermal noise in BCS and topological superconducting junctions

We present a unified description of a junction between $s$-wave (BCS) superconductors and a junction between $p$-wave superconductors in a topologically nontrivial phase, which relies on a scattering state expansion. We compute Josephson current and thermal noise in the two kinds of junction and exhibit some characteristic features for a junction of two topological superconductors hosting Majorana zero-energy modes.

cond-mat.supr-con

Enhancing photon squeezing one Leviton at a time

A mesoscopic device in the simple tunnel junction or quantum point contact geometry emits microwaves with remarkable quantum properties, when subjected to a sinusoidal drive in the GHz range. In particular, single and two-photon squeezing as well as entanglement in the frequency domain have been reported. By revising the photo-assisted noise analysis developed in the framework of electron quantum optics, we present a detailed comparison between the cosine drive case and other experimentally relavent periodic voltages such as rectangular and Lorentzian pulses. We show that the latter drive is the best candidate in order to enhance quantum features and purity of the outgoing single and two-photon states, a noteworthy result in a quantum information perspective.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Estimation of π-π Electronic Couplings from Current Measurements

The π-π interactions between organic molecules are among the most important parameters for optimizing the transport and optical properties of organic transistors, light-emitting diodes, and (bio-) molecular devices. Despite substantial theoretical progress, direct experimental measurement of the π-π electronic coupling energy parameter t has remained an old challenge due to molecular structural variability and the large number of parameters that affect the charge transport. Here, we propose a study of π-π interactions from electrochemical and current measurements on a large array of ferrocene-thiolated gold nanocrystals. We confirm the theoretical prediction that t can be assessed from a statistical analysis of current histograms. The extracted value of t ca. 35 meV is in the expected range based on our density functional theory analysis. Furthermore, the t distribution is not necessarily Gaussian and could be used as an ultrasensitive technique to assess intermolecular distance fluctuation at the subangström level. The present work establishes a direct bridge between quantum chemistry, electrochemistry, organic electronics, and mesoscopic physics, all of which were used to discuss results and perspectives in a quantitative manner.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Hanbury Brown and Twiss noise correlations in a topological superconductor beam splitter

We study Hanbury-Brown and Twiss current cross-correlations in a three-terminal junction where a central topological superconductor (TS) nanowire, bearing Majorana bound states at its ends, is connected to two normal leads. Relying on a non-perturbative Green function formalism, our calculations allow us to provide analytical expressions for the currents and their correlations at subgap voltages, while also giving exact numerical results valid for arbitrary external bias. We show that when the normal leads are biased at voltages $V_1$ and $V_2$ smaller than the gap, the sign of the current cross-correlations is given by $-\mbox{sgn}(V_1 \, V_2)$. In particular, this leads to positive cross-correlations for opposite voltages, a behavior in stark contrast with the one of a standard superconductor, which provides a direct evidence of the presence of the Majorana zero-mode at the edge of the TS. We further extend our results, varying the length of the TS (leading to an overlap of the Majorana bound states) as well as its chemical potential (driving it away from half-filling), generalizing the boundary TS Green function to those cases. In the case of opposite bias voltages, $\mbox{sgn}(V_1 \, V_2)=-1$, driving the TS wire through the topological transition leads to a sign change of the current cross-correlations, providing yet another signature of the physics of the Majorana bound state.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Minimal excitations in the fractional quantum Hall regime

We study the minimal excitations of fractional quantum Hall edges, extending the notion of levitons to interacting systems. Using both perturbative and exact calculations, we show that they arise in response to a Lorentzian potential with quantized flux. They carry an integer charge, thus involving several Laughlin quasiparticles, and leave a Poissonian signature in a Hanbury-Brown and Twiss partition noise measurement at low transparency. This makes them readily accessible experimentally, ultimately offering the opportunity to study real-time transport of Abelian and non-Abelian excitations.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Polarized heat current generated by quantum pumping in two-dimensional topological insulators

We consider transport properties of a two dimensional topological insulator in a double quantum point contact geometry in presence of a time-dependent external field. In the proposed setup an external gate is placed above a single constriction and it couples only with electrons belonging to the top edge. This asymmetric configuration and the presence of an ac signal allow for a quantum pumping mechanism, which, in turn, can generate finite heat and charge currents in an unbiased device configuration. A microscopic model for the coupling with the external time-dependent gate potential is developed and the induced finite heat and charge currents are investigated. We demonstrate that in the non-interacting case, heat flow is associated with a single spin component, due to the helical nature of the edge states, and therefore a finite and polarized heat current is obtained in this configuration. The presence of e-e interchannel interactions strongly affects the current signal, lowering the degree of polarization of the system. Finally, we also show that separate heat and charge flows can be achieved, varying the amplitude of the external gate.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Electronic quantum optics beyond the integer quantum Hall effect

The analog of two seminal quantum optics experiments are considered in a condensed matter setting with single electron sources injecting electronic wave packets on edge states coupled through a quantum point contact. When only one electron is injected, the measurement of noise correlations at the output of the quantum point contact corresponds to the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss setup. When two electrons are injected on opposite edges, the equivalent of the Hong-Ou-Mandel collision is achieved, exhibiting a dip as in the coincidence measurements of quantum optics. The Landauer-Buttiker scattering theory is used to first review these phenomena in the integer quantum Hall effect, next, to focus on two more exotic systems: edge states of two dimensional topological insulators, where new physics emerges from time reversal symmetry and three electron collisions can be achieved; and edges states of a hybrid Hall/superconducting device, which allow to perform electron quantum optics experiments with Bogoliubov quasiparticles.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Decoherence and relaxation of a single electron in a one dimensional conductor

We study the decoherence and relaxation of a single elementary electronic excitation propagating in a one-dimensional chiral conductor. Using two-particle interferences in the electronic analog of the Hong-Ou-Mandel experiment, we analyze quantitatively the decoherence scenario of a single electron propagating along a quantum Hall edge channel at filling factor 2. The decoherence results from the emergence of collective neutral excitations induced by Coulomb interaction and leading, in one dimension, to the destruction of the elementary quasiparticle. This study establishes the relevance of electron quantum optics setups to provide stringent tests of strong interaction effects in one-dimensional conductors described by Luttinger liquids paradigm.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Closing the proximity gap in a metallic Josephson junction between three superconductors

We describe the proximity effect in a short disordered metallic junction between three superconducting leads. Andreev bound states in the multi-terminal junction may cross the Fermi level. We reveal that for a quasi-continuous metallic density of states, crossings at the Fermi level manifest as closing of the proximity-induced gap. We calculate the local density of states for a wide range of transport parameters using quantum circuit theory. The gap closes inside an area of the space spanned by the superconducting phase differences. We derive an approximate analytic expression for the boundary of the area and compare it to the full numerical solution. The size of the area increases with the transparency of the junction and is sensitive to asymmetry. The finite density of states at zero energy is unaffected by electron-hole decoherence present in the junction, although decoherence is important at higher energies. Our predictions can be tested using tunneling transport spectroscopy. To encourage experiments, we calculate the current-voltage characteristic in a typical measurement setup. We show how the structure of the local density of states can be mapped out from the measurement.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Electron interferometry in integer quantum Hall edge channels

We consider the electronic analog of the Hong-Ou-Mandel interferometer from quantum optics. In this realistic condensed matter device, single electrons are injected and travel along opposite chiral edge states of the integer quantum Hall effect, colliding at a quantum point contact (QPC). We monitor the fate of the colliding excitations by calculating zero-frequency current correlations at the output of the QPC. In the simpler case of filling factor $ν=1$, we recover the standard result of a dip in the current noise as a function of the time delay between electron injections. For simultaneous injection, the current correlations exactly vanish, as dictated by the Pauli principle. This picture is however dramatically modified when interactions are present, as we show in the case of a filling factor $ν=2$. There, each edge state is made out of two co-propagating channels, leading to charge fractionalization, and ultimately to decoherence. The latter phenomenon reduces the degree of indistinguishability between the two electron wavepackets, yielding a reduced contrast in the HOM signal. This naturally brings about the question of stronger interaction, offering a natural extension of the present work to the case of fractional quantum Hall effect where many open and fascinating questions remain.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Cooper pair splitting in a nanoSQUID geometry at high transparency

We describe a Josephson device composed of two superconductors separated by two interacting quantum dots in parallel, as a probe for Cooper pair splitting. In addition to sequential tunneling of electrons through each dot, an additional transport channel exists in this system: crossed Andreev reflection, where a Cooper pair from the source is split between the two dots and recombined in the drain superconductor. Unlike non-equilibrium scenarios for Cooper pair splitting which involves superconducting/normal metal "forks", our proposal relies on an Aharonov-Bohm measurement of the DC Josephson current when a flux is inserted between the two dots. We provide a path integral approach to treat arbitrary transparencies, and we explore all contributions for the individual phases ($0$ or $π$) of the quantum dots. We propose a definition of the Cooper pair splitting efficiency for arbitrary transparencies, which allows us to find the phase associations which favor the crossed Andreev process. Possible applications to experiments using nanowires as quantum dots are discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Non-local interference and Hong-Ou-Mandel collisions of single Bogoliubov quasiparticles

We consider a device which allows to create and probe single Majorana fermions, in the form of Bogoliubov quasiparticles. It is composed of two counter-propagating edge channels, each put in proximity with a superconducting region where Andreev reflection operates, and which thus converts electrons into Bogoliubov quasiparticles. The edge channels then meet at a quantum point contact where collisions can be achieved. A voltage biased version of the setup was studied in Phys. Rev. Lett. 112, 070604 (2014) and showed non-local interference phenomena and signatures of Bogoliubov quasiparticle collisions in the high frequency noise characteristics at the output, constituting an evidence of the Majorana fermion nature of these excitations. Here, voltage biased leads are replaced by single electron sources in order to achieve collisions of single Bogoliubov quasiparticles, with the major advantage that zero-frequency noise measurements are sufficient to access the intimate nature of Bogoliubov wave-packets. We compute the injection parameters of the source, and go on to investigate the Hanbury-Brown and Twiss and Hong-Ou-Mandel signal at the output, as a function of the mixing angle which controls the electron/hole component of the Bogoliubov wave-packet. In particular, information on the internal structure of the Bogoliubov quasiparticle can be recovered when such a quasiparticle collides with a pure electron. Experimental feasibility with singlet or triplet superconductors is discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Single quasiparticle and electron nano-emitter in the fractional quantum Hall regime

We propose a device consisting in an antidot periodically driven in time by a magnetic field as a fractional quantum Hall counterpart of the celebrated mesoscopic capacitor-based single electron source. We fully characterize the setup as an ideal emitter of individual quasiparticles and electrons into fractional quantum Hall edge channels of the Laughlin sequence. Our treatment relies on a master equation approach and identifies the optimal regime of operation for both types of sources. The quasiparticle/quasihole emission regime involves in practice only two charge states of the antidot, allowing for an analytic treatment. We show the precise quantization of the emitted charge, we determine its optimal working regime, and we compute the phase noise/shot noise crossover as a function of the escape time from the emitter. The emission of electrons, which calls for a larger amplitude of the drive, requires a full numerical treatment of the master equations as more quasiparticle charge states are involved. Nevertheless, in this case the emission of one electron charge followed by one hole per period can also be achieved, and the overall shape of the noise spectrum is similar to that of the quasiparticle source, but the presence of additional quasiparticle processes enhances the noise amplitude.

cond-mat.mes-hall