arXiv subjects

X. C. Xie

Publications and source records attributed to X. C. Xie.

At least 271 records · Page 15Linked to original sources

arXiv2008

Topological insulator: a new quantized spin Hall resistance robust to dephasing

The influence of dephasing on the quantum spin Hall effect (QSHE) is studied. In the absence of dephasing, the longitudinal resistance in a QSHE system exhibits the quantum plateaus. We find that these quantum plateaus are robust against the normal dephasing but fragile with the spin dephasing. Thus, these quantum plateaus only survive in mesoscopic samples. Moreover, the longitudinal resistance increases linearly with the sample length but is insensitive to the sample width. These characters are in excellent agreement with the recent experimental results [science {\bf 318}, 766 (2007)]. In addition, we define a new spin Hall resistance that also exhibits quantum plateaus. In particular, these plateaus are robust against any type of dephasing and therefore, survive in macroscopic samples and better reflect the topological nature of QSHE.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Quantum Blockades and Loop Currents in Graphene with Topological Defects

We investigate the effect of topological defects on the transport properties of a narrow ballistic ribbon of graphene with zigzag edges. Our results show that the longitudinal conductance vanishes at several discrete Fermi energies where the system develops loop orbital electric currents with certain chirality. The chirality depends on the direction of the applied bias voltage and the sign of the local curvature created by the topological defects. This novel quantum blockade phenomenon provides a new way to generate a magnetic moment by an external electric field, which can prove useful in carbon electronics.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Spin Nernst effect and Nernst effect in two-dimensional electron systems

We study the Nernst effect and the spin Nernst effect, that a longitudinal thermal gradient induces a transverse voltage and a spin current. A mesoscopic four-terminal cross-bar device having the Rashba spin-orbit interaction (SOI) under a perpendicular magnetic field is considered. For zero SOI, the Nernst coefficient peaks when the Fermi level crosses the Landau Levels. In the presence of the SOI, the Nernst peaks split, and the spin Nernst effect appears and exhibits a series of oscillatory structures. The larger SOI is or the weaker magnetic field is, the more pronounced the spin Nernst effect is. The results also show that the Nernst and spin Nernst coefficients are sensitive to the detailed characteristics of the sample and the contacts. In addition, the Nernst effect is found to survive in strong disorder than the spin Nernst effect does.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Josephson current transport through a Quantum Dot in an Aharonov-Bohm Ring

The Josephson current through an Aharonov-Bohm (AB) interferometer, in which a quantum dot (QD) is situated on one arm and a magnetic flux $Φ$ threads through the ring, has been investigated. With the existence of the magnetic flux, the relation of the Josephson current and the superconductor phase is complex, and the system can be adjusted to $π$ junction by either modulating the magnetic flux or the QD's energy level $\varepsilon_d$. Due to the electron-hole symmetry, the Josephson current $I$ has the property $I(\varepsilon_d,Φ)=I(-\varepsilon_d,Φ+π)$. The Josephson current exhibits a jump when a pair of Andreev bound states aligns with the Fermi energy. The condition for the current jump is given. In particularly, we find that the position of the current jump and the position of the maximum value of the critical current $I_c$ are identical. Due to the interference between the two paths, the critical current $I_c$ versus the QD's level $\varepsilon_d$ shows a typical Fano shape, which is similar to the Fano effect in the corresponding normal device. But they also show some differences. For example, the critical current never reaches zero for any parameters, while the current in the normal device can reach zero at the destruction point.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Persistent spin current in nano-devices and definition of the spin current

We investigate two closely related subjects: (i) existence of a pure persistent spin current in semiconducting mesoscopic device with a spin-orbit interaction's (SOI), and (ii) the definition of the spin current in the presence of SOI. Through physical argument from four physical pictures in different aspects, we provide strong evidences that the persistent spin current does exist in a device with SOI in the absence of any magnetic materials. This persistent spin current is an analog of the persistent charge current in a mesoscopic ring threaded by a magnetic flux, and it describes the real spin motion and can be measured experimentally. We then investigate the definition of the spin current. We point out that (i) the non-zero spin current in the equilibrium SOI device is the persistent spin current, (ii) the spin current is in general not conserved, and (iii) the Onsager relation is violated for the spin transport no matter what definition of the spin current is used. These issues, the non-zero spin current in the equilibrium case, the non-conserved spin current, and the violation of the Onsager relation, are intrinsic properties of spin transport. We note that the conventional definition of the spin current has very clear physical intuition and describes the spin motion very well. Therefore we feel that the conventional definition of the spin current makes physical sense and there is no need to modify it. In addition, the relationship between the persistent spin current and transport spin current, the persistent linear and angular spin currents in the SOI region of the hybrid ring, are discussed. Finally, we show that if the spin-spin interaction is included into the Hamiltonian, the persistent spin current is automatically conserved using the conventional definition.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Unusual giant magnetoresistance effect in heterojunction structure of ultra-thin single-crystal Pb film on silicon substrate

Superconductor films on semiconductor substrates draw much attention recently since the derived superconductor-based electronics have been shown promising for future data process and storage technologies. By growing atomically uniform single-crystal epitaxial Pb films of several nanometers thick on Si wafers to form a sharp superconductor-semiconductor heterojunction, we have obtained an unusual giant magnetoresistance effect when the Pb film is superconducting. In addition to the great fundamental interest of this effect, the simple structure and compatibility and scalability with current Si-based semiconductor technology offer a great opportunity for integrating superconducting circuits and detectors in a single chip.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2008

Magnetism of Cold Fermionic Atoms on p-Band of an Optical Lattice

We carry out \textit{ab initio} study of ground state phase diagram of spin-1/2 cold fermionic atoms within two-fold degenerate $p$-band of an anisotropic optical lattice. Using the Gutzwiller variational approach, we show that a robust ferromagnetic phase exists for a vast range of band fillings and interacting strengths. The ground state crosses over from spin density wave state to spin-1 Neel state at half filling. Additional harmonic trap will induce spatial separation of varies phases. We also discuss several relevant observable consequences and detection methods. Experimental test of the results reported here may shed some light on the long-standing issue of itinerant ferromagnetism.

cond-mat.str-el↗

arXiv2007

Measuring the phonon-assisted spectral function by using a non-quilibrium three-terminal single-molecular device

The electron transport through a three-terminal single-molecular transistor (SMT) is theoretically studied. We find that the differential conductance of the third and weakly coupled terminal versus its voltage matches well with the spectral function versus the energy when certain conditions are met. Particularly, this excellent matching is maintained even for complicated structure of the phonon-assisted side peaks. Thus, this device offers an experimental approach to explore the shape of the phonon-assisted spectral function in detail. In addition we discuss the conditions of a perfect matching. The results show that at low temperatures the matching survives regardless of the bias and the energy levels of the SMT. However, at high temperatures, the matching is destroyed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Transmission phase shift of phonon-assisted tunneling through a quantum dot

The influence of electron-phonon interaction on the transmission phase shift of an electron passing through a quantum dot is investigated by using the scattering theory. The transmission phase versus the intra-dot level shows a serial of phonon-induced dips. These dips are highly sensitive to electron-phonon interaction strength $λ$, and they are much more pronounced than phonon-assisted sub-peaks appeared in the conductance. Phonon-induce dephasing is also studied, and the results show that the dephasing probability $T_d$ monotonically increases with the electron-phonon interaction strength $λ$. The dephasing probability $T_d \proptoλ^2$ for small $λ$ but $T_d\propto λ$ at large $λ$.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Designing a Spin Channel for Perfect Quantum Communication

We propose a scheme for using a spin chain with fixed symmetry interaction as a channel for perfect quantum communication. The perfect quantum communication is determined by the eigenvalues that form a special arithmetical progression, the concrete interaction parameter $J_i$ is obtained as a function of integer and perfect transmission time $t_p$. There are infinite choices of $J_i$ for perfect transmission and one can design the channel according to the requirement of $t_p$. This scheme will provide more choices of spin chain for future experiment in quantum communication.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

An Ideal Channel of Long Distance Entanglement in Spin Systems

We propose a scheme for using spin chain to realize an ideal channel of long distance entanglement. The results show that there has different entanglement in different Hilbert subspace, the anisotropic parameter $Δ$ will frustrate the entanglement and the magnetic field affect the entanglement through changing the ground state, the boundary entanglement $C_{1N}$ has the simplest expression in the simplest subspace and it only depend on the first item of the ground state, that item can be increased when a local magnetic field is introduced. Our propose can be handled easily because it only needs a uniform XX open chain initialized in the simplest Hilbert subspace and a bulk magnetic field that absent for the boundary qubits.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2007

Abnormal Electronic Transport in Disordered Graphene Nanoribbon

We investigate the conductivity $σ$ of graphene nanoribbons with zigzag edges as a function of Fermi energy $E_F$ in the presence of the impurities with different potential range. The dependence of $σ(E_F)$ displays four different types of behavior, classified to different regimes of length scales decided by the impurity potential range and its density. Particularly, low density of long range impurities results in an extremely low conductance compared to the ballistic value, a linear dependence of $σ(E_F)$ and a wide dip near the Dirac point, due to the special properties of long range potential and edge states. These behaviors agree well with the results from a recent experiment by Miao \emph{et al.} (to appear in Science).

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2007

Time reversal Aharonov-Casher effect in mesoscopic rings with Rashba spin-orbital interaction

The time reversal Aharonov-Casher (AC) interference effect in the mesoscopic ring structures, based on the experiment in Phys. Rev. Lett. \textbf{97}, 196803 (2006), is studied theoretically. The transmission curves are calculated from the scattering matrix formalism, and the time reversal AC interference frequency is singled out from the Fourier spectra in numerical simulations. This frequency is in good agreement with analytical result. It is also shown that in the absent of magnetic field, the Altshuler-Aronov-Spivak type (time reversal) AC interference retains under the influence of strong disorder, while the Aharonov-Bohm type AC interference is suppressed.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Quantum size effects in thermodynamic superconducting properties of ultra thin films

By using multi-bands BCS theory, we have calculated the superconductivity energy gap and the critical temperature of a thin-film metallic superconductor. The thermodynamic superconducting characteristics such as critical magnetic field, specific heat, as well as the tunneling conductance are investigated for varying film thickness and temperature. We find the oscillation of thermodynamic superconducting properties with the film thickness, including the thermodynamic critical field $H_c$, the specific heat of normal, superconducting state, and position of the differential tunneling conductance peak. The two universal constants the nth sub-band energy gap $Δ_n$ at temperature $T=0K$ over $k_BT_c$, and the specific heat jump at $T_c$ over normal state specific heat at $T_c$ are independent of the film thickness. Their values are the same as in the bulk superconductor.

cond-mat.supr-con↗

arXiv2006

Numerical simulations of a ballistic spin interferometer with the Rashba spin-orbital interaction

We numerically investigate the transport behavior of a quasi one-dimension (1D) square loop device containing the Rashba spin-orbital interaction in the presence of a magnetic flux. The conductance versus the magnetic field shows the Al'tshuler-Aronov-Spivak (AAS) and Aharonov-Bohm (AB) oscillations. We focus on the oscillatory amplitudes, and find that both of them are strongly dependent on the spin precession angle (i.e. the strength of the spin-orbit interaction) and exhibit no-periodic oscillations, which are well in agreement with a recent experiment by Koga et al. [cond-mat/0504743(unpublished)]. However, our numerical results for the ideal 1D square loop device for the node positions of the amplitudes of the AB and AAS oscillations are found to be of some discrepancies comparing with quasi-1D square loop with a finite width. In the presence of disorder and taking the disorder ensemble average, the AB oscillation in the conductance will disappear, while the time-reversal symmetric AAS oscillation still remains. Furthermore, the node positions of the AAS oscillatory amplitude remains the same.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Heat generation by electric current in mesoscopic devices

We study the heat generation in a nano-device with an electric current passing through the device. For the first time, a general formula for the heat generation is derived by using the nonequilibrium Keldysh Green functions. This formula can be applied in both the linear and nonlinear transport regions, for time-dependent systems, and with multi-terminal devices. The formula is also valid when the nano-device contains various interactions. As an application of the formula, the heat generation of a lead-quantum dot-lead system is investigated. The dc and ac biases are studied in detail. We find several interesting behaviors that are unique to nanostructures, revealing significant difference from heat generation in macroscopic systems.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

Persistent spin current in a spin-orbit coupling/normal hybrid ring

We investigate the equilibrium property of a mesoscopic ring with spin orbit (SO) interaction. It is well known that for a normal mesoscopic ring threaded by a magnetic flux, the electron acquires a Berry phase that induces the persistent (charge) current. Similarly, the spin of electron acquires a spin Berry phase traversing the ring with SO interaction. It is this spin Berry phase that induces a persistent spin current. To demonstrate its existence, we calculate the persistent spin current without accompanying charge current in the normal region in a hybrid mesoscopic ring. We point out that this persistent spin current describes the real spin motion and can be observed experimentally.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2005

Possible existence of a band of extended states induced by inter-Landau-band mixing in quantum Hall system

The mixing of states with {\it opposite chirality} in quantum Hall system is shown to have delocalization effect. It is possible that extended states may form bands because of this mixing, as is shown through a numerical calculation on a two-channel network model. Based on this result, a new phase diagram with a narrow {\it metallic} phase separating two adjacent QH phases and/or separating a QH phase from the insulating phase is proposed. The data from recent non-scaling experiments is reanalyzed and shown that they seem to be {\it consistent} with the new phase diagram. However, due to finite-size effects, further study on large system size is still needed to conclude whether there are extended state bands in thermodynamic limit.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗