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X. Waintal

Publications and source records attributed to X. Waintal.

17 recordsLinked to original sources

A Tensor Train Continuous Time Solver for Quantum Impurity Models

The simulation of strongly correlated quantum impurity models is a significant challenge in modern condensed matter physics that has multiple important applications. Thus far, the most successful methods for approaching this challenge involve Monte Carlo techniques that accurately and reliably sample perturbative expansions to any order. However, the cost of obtaining high precision through these methods is high. Recently, tensor train decomposition techniques have been developed as an alternative to Monte Carlo integration. In this study, we apply these techniques to the single-impurity Anderson model at equilibrium by calculating the systematic expansion in power of the hybridization of the impurity with the bath. We demonstrate the performance of the method in a paradigmatic application, examining the first-order phase transition on the infinite dimensional Bethe lattice, which can be mapped to an impurity model through dynamical mean field theory. Our results indicate that using tensor train decomposition schemes allows the calculation of finite-temperature Green's functions and thermodynamic observables with unprecedented accuracy. The methodology holds promise for future applications to frustrated multi-orbital systems, using a combination of partially summed series with other techniques pioneered in diagrammatic and continuous-time quantum Monte Carlo.

cond-mat.str-el

How do edge states position themselves in a quantum Hall graphene pn junction?

Recent experiments have shown that electronic Mach-Zehnder interferometers of unprecedented fidelities could be built using a graphene pn junction in the quantum Hall regime. In these junctions, two different edge states corresponding to two different valley configurations are spatially separated and form the two arms of the interferometer. The observed separation, of several tens of nanometers, has been found to be abnormally high and thus associated to unrealistic values of the exchange interaction. In this work, we show that, although the separation is due to exchange interaction, its actual value is entirely governed by the sample geometry and independent of the value of the exchange splitting. Our analysis follows the lines of the classical work of Chklovski-Shklovskii- Glazman on electrostatically induced edge state reconstruction and includes quantitative numerical calculations in the experimental geometries.

cond-mat.mes-hall

The self-consistent quantum-electrostatic problem in strongly non-linear regime

The self-consistent quantum-electrostatic (also known as Poisson-Schrödinger) problem is notoriously difficult in situations where the density of states varies rapidly with energy. At low temperatures, these fluctuations make the problem highly non-linear which renders iterative schemes deeply unstable. We present a stable algorithm that provides a solution to this problem with controlled accuracy. The technique is intrinsically convergent including in highly non-linear regimes. We illustrate our approach with (i) a calculation of the compressible and incompressible stripes in the integer quantum Hall regime and (ii) a calculation of the differential conductance of a quantum point contact geometry. Our technique provides a viable route for the predictive modeling of the transport properties of quantum nanoelectronics devices.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Proximity magnetoresistance in graphene induced by magnetic insulators

We demonstrate the existence of Giant proximity magnetoresistance (PMR) effect in a graphene spin valve where spin polarization is induced by a nearby magnetic insulator. PMR calculations were performed for yttrium iron garnet (YIG), cobalt ferrite (CFO), and two europium chalcogenides EuO and EuS. We find a significant PMR (up to 100%) values defined as a relative change of graphene conductance with respect to parallel and antiparallel alignment of two proximity induced magnetic regions within graphene. Namely, for high Curie temperature (Tc) CFO and YIG insulators which are particularly important for applications, we obtain 22% and 77% at room temperature, respectively. For low Tc chalcogenides, EuO and EuS, the PMR is 100% in both cases. Furthermore, the PMR is robust with respect to system dimensions and edge type termination. Our findings show that it is possible to induce spin polarized currents in graphene with no direct injection through magnetic materials.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Robust spin transfer torque in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions

We theoretically study the current-induced spin torque in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions, composed of two semi-infinite antiferromagnetic layers separated by a tunnel barrier, in both clean and disordered regimes. We find that the torque enabling the electrical manipulation of the Néel antiferromagnetic order parameter is out of plane $\sim {\bf n}\times{\bf p}$, while the torque competing with the antiferromagnetic exchange is in-plane $\sim {\bf n}\times({\bf p}\times{\bf n})$. Here, ${\bf { p}}$ and ${\bf { n}}$ are the Néel order parameter direction of the reference and free layers, respectively. Their bias dependence shows similar behavior as in ferromagnetic tunnel junctions, the in-plane torque being mostly linear in bias while the out-of-plane torque is quadratic. Most importantly, we find that the spin transfer torque in antiferromagnetic tunnel junctions is much more robust against disorder than in antiferromagnetic metallic spin-valves due to the tunneling nature of spin transport.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Direct probing of band-structure Berry phase in diluted magnetic semiconductors

We report on experimental evidence of the Berry phase accumulated by the charge carrier wave function in single-domain nanowires made from a (Ga,Mn)(As,P) diluted ferromagnetic semiconductor layer. Its signature on the mesoscopic transport measurements is revealed as unusual patterns in the magnetoconductance, that are clearly distinguished from the universal conductance fluctuations. We show that these patterns appear in a magnetic field region where the magnetization rotates coherently and are related to a change in the band-structure Berry phase as the magnetization direction changes. They should be thus considered as a band structure Berry phase fingerprint of the effective magnetic monopoles in the momentum space. We argue that this is an efficient method to vary the band structure in a controlled way and to probe it directly. Hence, (Ga,Mn)As appears to be a very interesting test bench for new concepts based on this geometrical phase.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Valley polarization assisted spin polarization in two dimensions

Valleytronics is rapidly emerging as an exciting area of basic and applied research. In two dimensional systems, valley polarisation can dramatically modify physical properties through electron-electron interactions as demonstrated by such phenomena as the fractional quantum Hall effect and the metal-insulator transition. Here, we address the electrons' spin alignment in a magnetic field in silicon-on-insulator quantum wells under valley polarisation. In stark contrast to expectations from a non-interacting model, we show experimentally that less magnetic field can be required to fully spin polarise a valley-polarised system than a valley-degenerate one. Furthermore, we show that these observations are quantitatively described by parameter free ab initio quantum Monte Carlo simulations. We interpret the results as a manifestation of the greater stability of the spin and valley degenerate system against ferromagnetic instability and Wigner crystalisation which in turn suggests the existence of a new strongly correlated electron liquid at low electron densities.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Control of spin current by a magnetic YIG substrate in NiFe/Al nonlocal spin valves

We study the effect of a magnetic insulator (Yttrium Iron Garnet - YIG) substrate on the spin transport properties of Ni$_{80}$Fe$_{20}$/Al nonlocal spin valve (NLSV) devices. The NLSV signal on the YIG substrate is about 2 to 3 times lower than that on a non magnetic SiO$_2$ substrate, indicating that a significant fraction of the spin-current is absorbed at the Al/YIG interface. By measuring the NLSV signal for varying injector-to-detector distance and using a three dimensional spin-transport model that takes spin current absorption at the Al/YIG interface into account we obtain an effective spin-mixing conductance $G_{\uparrow\downarrow}\simeq 5 - 8\times 10^{13}~Ω^{-1}$m$^{-2}$. We also observe a small but clear modulation of the NLSV signal when rotating the YIG magnetization direction with respect to the fixed spin polarization of the spin accumulation in the Al. Spin relaxation due to thermal magnons or roughness of the YIG surface may be responsible for the observed small modulation of the NLSV signal.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Magnetic Insulator-Induced Proximity Effects in Graphene: Spin Filtering and Exchange Splitting Gaps

We report on first-principles calculations of spin-dependent properties in graphene induced by its interaction with a nearby magnetic insulator (Europium oxide, EuO). The magnetic proximity effect results in spin polarization of graphene $π$ orbitals by up to 24 %, together with large exchange splitting bandgap of about 36 meV. The position of the Dirac cone is further shown to depend strongly on the graphene-EuO interlayer. These findings point towards the possible engineering of spin gating by proximity effect at relatively high temperature, which stands as a hallmark for future all-spin information processing technologies.

cond-mat.mtrl-sci

Josephson junctions as detectors for non-Gaussian noise

Non-Gaussian fluctuations of the electrical current can be detected with a Josephson junction placed on-chip with the noise source. We present preliminary measurements with an NIS junction as a noise source, and a Josephson junction in the thermal escape regime as a noise detector. It is shown that the Josephson junction detects not only the average noise, which manifests itself as an increased effective temperature, but also the noise asymmetry. A theoretical description of the thermal escape of a Josephson junction in presence of noise with a non-zero third cumulant is presented, together with numerical simulations when the noise source is a tunnel junction with Poisson noise. Comparison between experiment and theory is discussed.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Theory of Spin Torque in a nanomagnet

We present a complete theory of the spin torque phenomena in a ultrasmall nanomagnet coupled to non-collinear ferromagnetic electrodes through tunnelling junctions. This model system can be described by a simple microscopic model which captures many physical effects characteristic of spintronics: tunneling magneto resistance, intrinsic and transport induced magnetic relaxation, current induced magnetization reversal and spin accumulation. Treating on the same footing the magnetic and transport degrees of freedom, we arrive at a closed equation for the time evolution of the magnetization. This equation is very close to the Landau-Lifshitz-Gilbert equation used in spin valves structures. We discuss how the presence of the Coulomb blockade phenomena and the discretization of the one-body spectrum gives some additional features to the current induced spin torque. Depending on the regime, the dynamic induced by the coupling to electrode can be viewed either as a spin torque or as a relaxation process. In addition to the possibility of stabilizing uniform spin precession states, we find that the system is highly hysteretic: up to three different magnetic states can be simultaneously stable in one region of the parameter space (magnetic field and bias voltage).We also discuss how the magneto-resistance can be used to provide additional information on the non-equilibrium peaks present in the nanomagnet spectroscopy experiments.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Anatomy of the quantum melting of the two dimensional Wigner crystal

The Fermi liquid-Wigner crystal transition in a two dimensional electronic system is revisited with a focus on the nature of the fixed node approximation done in quantum Monte Carlo calculations. Recently, we proposed (Phys. Rev. Lett. 94, 046801 (2005)) that for intermediate densities, a hybrid phase (with the symmetry of the crystal but otherwise liquid like properties) is more stable than both the liquid and the crystal phase. Here we confirm this result both in the thermodynamic and continuum limit. The liquid-hybrid transition takes place at rs=31.5 +/- 0.5. We find that the stability of the hybrid phase with respect to the crystal one is tightly linked to its delocalized nature. We discuss the implications of our results for various transition scenarii (quantum hexatic phase, supersolid, multiple exchange, microemulsions) proposed in the literature.

cond-mat.str-el

Current induced Spin Torque in a nanomagnet

In a nanomagnet (whose total spin S< 1000), very small polarized currents can lead to magnetic reversal. Treating on the same footing the transport and magnetic properties of a nanomagnet connected to magnetic leads via tunneling barriers, we derive a closed equation for the time evolution of the magnetization. The interplay between Coulomb blockade phenomena and magnetism gives some additional structure to the current induced spin torque. In addition to the possibility of stabilizing uniform spin waves, we find that the system is highly hysteretic: up to three different magnetic states can be simultaneously stable in one region of the parameter (magnetic field and bias voltage) space.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Magnetic-field dependence of energy levels in ultrasmall metal grains

We present a theory of mesoscopic fluctuations of g tensors and avoided crossing energies in a small metal grain. The model, based on random matrix theory, contains both the orbital and spin contributions to the g tensor. The two contributions can be experimentally separated for weak spin-orbit coupling while they merge in the strong coupling limit. For intermediate coupling, substantial correlations are found between g factors of neighboring levels.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Spin, spin-orbit, and electron-electron interactions in mesoscopic systems

We review recent theoretical developments about the role of spins, electron-electron interactions, and spin-orbit coupling in metal nanoparticles and semiconductor quantum dots. For a closed system, in the absence of spin-orbit coupling or of an external magnetic field, electron-electron interactions make it possible to have ground states with spin $S > 1/2$. We review here a theoretical analysis which makes predictions for the probability of finding various values of spin $S$ for an irregular particle in the limit where the number of electron is large but finite. We also present results for the probability distribution of the spacing between successive groundstate energies in such a particle. In a metallic particle with strong spin-orbit interactions, for odd electron number, the groundstate has a Kramers' degeneracy, which is split linearly by a weak applied magnetic field. The splitting may be characterized by an effective $g$-tensor whose principal axes and eigenvalues vary from one level to another. Recent calculations have addressed the joint probability distribution, including the anisotropy, of the eigenvalues. The peculiar form of the spin-orbit coupling for a two-dimensional electron system in a GaAs heterostructure or quantum well leads to a strong suppression of spin-orbit effects when the electrons are confined in a small quantum dot. Spin-effects can be enhanced, however, in the presence of an applied magnetic field parallel to the layer, which may explain recent observations on fluctuations in the conductances through such dots. We also discuss possible explanations for the experimental observations by Davidovic and Tinkham of a multiplet splitting of the lowest resonance in the tunneling conductance through a gold nano-particle.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Fano resonances as a probe of phase coherence in quantum dots

In the presence of direct trajectories connecting source and drain contacts, the conductance of a quantum dot may exhibit resonances of the Fano type. Since Fano resonances result from the interference of two transmission pathways, their lineshape (as described by the Fano parameter q) is sensitive to dephasing in the quantum dot. We show that under certain circumstances the dephasing time can be extracted from a measurement of q for a single resonance. We also show that q fluctuates from level to level, and calculate its probability distribution for a chaotic quantum dot. Our results are relevant to recent experiments by Goeres et al.

cond-mat.mes-hall

Fluctuating spin g-tensor in small metal grains

In the presence of spin-orbit scattering, the splitting of an energy level in a generic small metal grain due to the Zeeman coupling to a magnetic field B depends on the direction of B, as a result of mesoscopic fluctuations. The anisotropy is described by the eigenvalues g_j^2 (j=1,2,3) of a tensor G, corresponding to the (squares of) g-factors along three principal axes. We consider the statistical distribution of G and find that the anisotropy is enhanced by eigenvalue repulsion between the g_j.

cond-mat.mes-hall