Quantum interference in nanotube electron waveguides

We have calculated the quantum conductance of single-walled carbon nanotube (SWNT) waveguide by using a tight binding-based Greens function approach. Our calculations show that the slow conductance oscillations as well as the fast conductance oscillations are manifestations of the intrinsic quantum interference properties of the conducting SWNTs, being independent of the defect and disorder of the SWNTs. And zigzag type tubes do not show the slow oscillations. The SWNT electron waveguide is also found to have distinctly different transport behavior depending on whether or not the length of the tube is commensurate with a (3N+1) rule, with N the number of basic carbon repeat units along the nanotube length.     

Quantum interference in carbon-nanotube electron resonators

A new mechanism is proposed to explain the slow conductance fluctuations in the conductance-gate voltage plot observed in the nanotube electron resonators. It is found that the slow conductance fluctuation is an intrinsic quantum interference phenomenon and exists in all metallic nanotube resonators except zigzag ones. Analytical expressions for both slow and rapid oscillation periods of the conductance fluctuations have been derived, which are well consistent with the existing experiments. It is predicted that the ratio of the slow oscillation period to the rapid one is independent of the gate-voltage efficiency, and determined only by the nanotube length used in experiments.     

Quantum interference and ballistic transmission in nanotube electron waveguides

The electron transport properties of well-contacted individual single-walled carbon nanotubes are investigated in the ballistic regime. Phase coherent transport and electron interference manifest as conductance fluctuations as a function of Fermi energy. Resonance with standing waves in finite-length tubes and localized states due to imperfections are observed for various Fermi energies. Two units of quantum conductance 2G(0) = 4e(2)/h are measured for the first time, corresponding to the maximum conductance limit for ballistic transport in two channels of a nanotube.     

Quantum interference effects in the magnetopiezoresistance of InAs/AlGaSb quasi-one-dimensional electron systems

We measured the low temperature magnetopiezoresistance of a quasi-one-dimensional electron system by fabricating an InAs/AlGaSb micromechanical cantilever. The magnetopiezoresistance curve showed aperiodic but reproducible oscillation, which was similar to the differential magnetoresistance curve obtained for the same device. A detailed comparison with model calculations strongly suggests that the quantum interference effects that cause the conductance fluctuations in the magnetoresistance are responsible for the peculiar behavior of the magnetopiezoresistance.     

Quantum interference rectifier

Electron transport in bent quantum wire in the presence of a magnetic field which is orthogonal to the system plane is considered. Possible constructions of “quantum interference switch” and “quantum interference rectifier” are suggested.     

Quantum interference at corners

We show that a radiating atom, or molecule, localised at sub-wavelength distances from a corner arising from the intersection of three planar material surfaces, exhibits novel quantum interference effects. The simplest case arises for a corner formed by the intersection of three perfect conductors, all at right angles. This situation is shown here to give rise to super-radiance and sub-radiance effects that are highly sensitive to the dipole moment orientation and position of the radiating atom or molecule in the vicinity of the corner.     

Quantum interference electronic switch

A novel planar electron waveguide coupler is proposed as an electronic switch. The structure consists of two quantum wires interconnected by a dual branch coupling scheme which is assumed to be controlled by an electrostatic potential. Switching is provided by tuning the phase relations between the different scattered waves by the two coupling branch lines. Assuming ballistic transport, the analysis is conducted by solving the time independent two-dimensional Schrödinger equation in order to derive the conductance characteristics. At a resonant energy of 25 meV and for a waveguide width of 27.4 nm, over 90% of the electron wave has been transferred with a half picosecond time response.     

Quantum interference in artificial band structures

Magnetotransport experiments on two-dimensional electron systems with an atomically precise, one-dimensional potential modulation reveal striking quantum interference oscillations. Within a semiclassical framework, they are recognized either as self-interference along closed orbits, many of them rendered possible by magnetic breakdown between Fermi contour segments of the artificial band structure, or as interference-enhanced backscattering. The known commensurability oscillations appear as a special case of the latter mechanism.     

Investigation of electron lifetimes in molybdenum with dilute substitutional impurities

We have measured the electronic lifetimes of the systems Mo(W), Mo(Ru), Mo(Fe) and Mo(U). The concentrations were 370PPM, 70PPM, 20PPM, and 50PPM respectively. For the first three systems, only the hole octahedron centered atH was investigated thoroughly for all angles and the data inverted to get point lifetimes. For Mo(U) the investigation was done over the entire Fermi surface with the aid of an on-line PDP 11/20 mini-computer. Only selective points were used on other pieces of the Fermi surface in order to avoid problems with degenerate frequencies. A careful determination of the effective masses was also made at all angles under investigation. The masses were found to be in disagreement with those of Leaver and Meyers (these masses were used in our orginal investigation) by as much as 20% in some orientations. The electronic lifetimes were nearly isotropic on the hole octahedron in all the alloy systems investigated. In Mo(U) the isotropy was found to extend to all thed-like surfaces. Only thes-p-like hole ellipsoids centered atN possibly have a substantially different lifetime, but its measurement is inaccurate due to beats from degenerate and many close-lying frequencies.Work performed under the auspices of the U. S. Atomic Energy Commission.     

Investigation of electron lifetimes in molybdenum with dilute substitutional impurities

We have measured the electronic lifetimes of the systems Mo(W), Mo(Ru), Mo(Fe) and Mo(U). The concentrations were ≈ 370PPM, 70PPM, 20PPM, and 50PPM respectively. For the first three systems, only the hole octahedron centered atH was investigated thoroughly for all angles and the data inverted to get point lifetimes. For Mo(U) the investigation was done over the entire Fermi surface with the aid of an on-line PDP 11/20 mini-computer. Only selective points were used on other pieces of the Fermi surface in order to avoid problems with degenerate frequencies. A careful determination of the effective masses was also made at all angles under investigation. The masses were found to be in disagreement with those of Leaver and Meyers (these masses were used in our orginal investigation) by as much as 20% in some orientations. The electronic lifetimes were nearly isotropic on the hole octahedron in all the alloy systems investigated. In Mo(U) the isotropy was found to extend to all thed-like surfaces. Only thes-p-like hole ellipsoids centered atN possibly have a substantially different lifetime, but its measurement is inaccurate due to beats from degenerate and many close-lying frequencies.     

Quantum Monte Carlo study of a positron in an electron gas

Quantum Monte Carlo calculations of the relaxation energy, pair-correlation function, and annihilating-pair momentum density are presented for a positron immersed in a homogeneous electron gas. We find smaller relaxation energies and contact pair-correlation functions in the important low-density regime than predicted by earlier studies. Our annihilating-pair momentum densities have almost zero weight above the Fermi momentum due to the cancellation of electron-electron and electron-positron correlation effects.     

Quantum Monte Carlo study of a proton in an electron gas

The polarization of jellium by a fixed proton impurity at 0 K is determined for an electron density range from metallic to dilute using the quantum Monte Carlo algorithm. Preliminary results show the correct H^– binding limit for the impurity in a dilute electron gas. The screening indicates transitions from two-to one-electron binding and from localized to delocalized electrons as the jellium density increases. The results are compared to density functional calculations. Pair distribution functions, Friedel oscillations, and binding energies are discussed.     

Quantum interference of electrons in disordered metals

Investigation of the galvanomagnetic properties of disordered metals in weak magnetic fields [r(H)?l, wherer(H) is the electron trajectory radius andl, the electron free path], proved to be one of the effective experimental methods of studying disordered metals. The phase difference between the interfering electron waves is affected by the presence of magnetic flux in the sample. One of the observable effects is the oscillatory magnetoresistanceK(H) of multiconnected samples predicted by Altshuleret al (1981). The period ofK(H) oscillations for the hollow cylinders, networks or chains with orifices cross-sections areasS isΔH=φ ₀/2S [whereφ ₀=hc/e]. The amplitude and the phase of the oscillations depend on the spin orbit interaction, the intensity of superconductive fluctuation etc. It should be noted that in small “mesoscopic” single loops the oscillations with the periodΔH?φ ₀/S were also observed recently (see also Altshuleret al 1987 included in this issue).     

A comparative study of single crystal magnesium oxide and oxidised magnesium by auger electron spectroscopy

In a study by AES of the surfaces of single crystal magnesium oxide and magnesium after various stages of oxidation, it has been shown that Auger energy shifts are produced by surface charging. Recognition of the charging effects has enabled the peak in the low energy spectrum of magnesium oxide crystal to be assigned. The low energy secondary electron spectra of both MgO crystal and oxidised magnesium are complicated by the presence of extra features which arise from diffraction of true secondary electrons, and in particular for oxidised magnesium a cross-transition occurring at the metal-oxide interface. Oxidation studies of sodium also reveal transitions arising from a similar process.     

Quantum interference and Fisher information

Fisher information is a useful tool for evaluating the accuracy limits of quantum measurements. We demonstrate this on the example of quantum interferometry. As it is shown, Fisher information provides meaningful error estimates even in highly nonclassical regimes, where the frequently used simple linearized theory of errors fails. Information based uncertainties could be useful for the analysis of advanced interferometric devices.