Exact electronic transport in an alternating A/B quantum dot array

The electronic transport in the quantum dot array for an arbitrary number of dots in which the quantum dot A is alternated with the quantum dot B is studied with the exact Green’s function calculation. The algebraic structures of the DC current, the differential conductance, and the density of states for the alternating A/B quantum dot array are obtained analytically. The results show that the two-step-like DC current, the two-main-peak-like differential conductance, and the multi-peak-like density of states will be sensitively modified by the number of dots and the difference for the one-electron level and the resonant width of the quantum dot A with ones of the quantum dot B.     

Nonequilibrium Keldysh formalism for interacting leads—Application to quantum dot transport driven by spin bias

The conductance through a mesoscopic system of interacting electrons coupled to two adjacent leads is conventionally derived via the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green’s function technique, in the limit of noninteracting leads [Y. Meir, N.S. Wingreen, Phys. Rev. Lett. 68 (1992) 2512]. We extend the standard formalism to cater for a quantum dot system with Coulombic interactions between the quantum dot and the leads. The general current expression is obtained by considering the equation of motion of the time-ordered Green’s function of the system. The nonequilibrium effects of the interacting leads are then incorporated by determining the contour-ordered Green’s function over the Keldysh loop and applying Langreth’s theorem. The dot–lead interactions significantly increase the height of the Kondo peaks in density of states of the quantum dot. This translates into two Kondo peaks in the spin differential conductance when the magnitude of the spin bias equals that of the Zeeman splitting. There also exists a plateau in the charge differential conductance due to the combined effect of spin bias and the Zeeman splitting. The low-bias conductance plateau with sharp edges is also a characteristic of the Kondo effect. The conductance plateau disappears for the case of asymmetric dot–lead interaction.     

Electronic transport of graphene nanoribbons within recursive Green’s function

In this work, we introduce a recursive Green’s function method for investigating electronic transport in a graphene nanoribbons (GNRs) quantum wire with armchair (AGNR) and zigzag (ZGNR) edges which attached to two semi-infinite square lattice leads. This model reduces numerical calculations time and enables us to use Green’s function method to investigate transport in a supperlattice device. Therefore, we consider AGNR and ZGNR devices attached to metallic semi-infinite square lattice leads, taking into account the effects of longitudinal and wide of the wire. Our calculations are based on the tight-binding model, which the recursive Green’s function method is used to solve inhomogeneous differential equations. We concentrate on the electrical conductance and current for various length and wide size of the wire. Our numerical results show that the transport properties are strongly affected by the quantum interference effect and the lead interface geometry to the device. By controlling the type of contact and wire geometry, this kind of system can explain the antiresonance states at the Fermi energy. Our results can serve as a base for developments in designing nano-electronic devices.     

量子点双链中电子自旋极化输运性质

利用非平衡格林函数方法, 研究了与单个量子点耦合的量子点双链中电子自旋极化输运性质. 由于系统中Rashba自旋轨道耦合产生的自旋相关的相位, 电子通过上下两种路径时, 自旋不同的电子干涉情况不同, 从而导致了电极中的自旋极化流. 左右两电极间的偏压使单个量子点中的自旋积聚在很大能量区域内能够保持较大的值. 由于系统结构的左右不对称, 正负偏压下自旋积聚情况完全不同. 这些计算结果将有助于实验上设计新型的自旋电子学器件.     

Transition from the Kondo effect to a Coulomb blockade in an electron shuttle

We investigate the effect of the mechanical motion of a quantum dot on the transport properties of a quantum dot shuttle.Employing the equation of motion method for the nonequilibrium Green’s function,we show that the oscillation of the dot,i.e.,the time-dependent coupling between the dot’s electron and the reservoirs,can destroy the Kondo effect.With the increase in the oscillation frequency of the dot,the density of states of the quantum dot shuttle changes from the Kondo-like to a Coulomb-blockade pattern.Increasing the coupling between the dot and the electrodes may partly recover the Kondo peak in the spectrum of the density of states.Understanding of the effect of mechanical motion on the transport properties of an electron shuttle is important for the future application of nanoelectromechanical devices.     

A first-principles study on DNA sequencing using graphene quantum dot

In this paper, we propose a new device based on graphene quantum dot (GQD) to interrogate nucleotide in a DNA molecule. We have conducted non-equilibrium Green’s function together with the density functional theory simulations to show zero transmission curves for a system which includes nucleobases. The simulation results indicates several characteristic peaks in the electron transmission curve for any single base on the quantum dot which can be utilized to distinguish between bases. Number and positions of the peaks, as well as their amplitude, depend on the type of the bases and their relative position to the dot. Thus, this structure shows remarkable distinction characteristic in zero bias transmission curve and can yield minimal ambiguity in the adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine nucleotide detection. Due to stacking of nucleobases on the graphene and consequent attenuation in directional fluctuations, stable measurement is also expected.     

Coherently controllable non-equilibrium charge accumulation inside a magnetic quantum dot: a non-equilibrium Green’s function approach

We have performed a non-equilibrium quantum transport calculations for a two-terminal mesoscopic system including a magnetic quantum dot. Using the non-equilibrium Green’s function technique, we have obtained electric current and charge distribution in the temperature range from 1 to 10 K as a function of magnetic field. Results indicate that the density of carriers essentially can be controlled by temperature and bias voltage.     

Electron tunneling through a coupled system of electron and phonon

We study the electron tunneling through a single level quantum dot in the presence of electron–phonon interaction. By using the Green’s function and canonical transformation methods, we calculated exactly the current. It is found that the current vs dot level exhibits satellite peaks even without occurring of phonon-assisted tunneling processes, and properties of the current are affected heavily by the strength of electron–phonon interaction and phonon temperature.     

Inter-dot coupling effects on transport through correlated parallel coupled quantum dots

Transport through symmetric parallel coupled quantum dot system has been studied, using non-equilibrium Green function formalism. The inter-dot tunnelling with on-dot and inter-dot Coulomb repulsion is included. The transmission coefficient and Landaur-Buttiker like current formula are shown in terms of internal states of quantum dots. The effect of inter-dot tunnelling on transport properties has been explored. Results, in intermediate inter-dot coupling regime show signatures of merger of two dots to form a single composite dot and in strong coupling regime the behaviour of the system resembles the two decoupled dots.      

Kondo-Fano Effect in T-shaped Double Quantum Dots Coupled to Ferromagnetic Leads

Using an equation-of-motion technique,we theoretically study the Kondo-Fano effect in the T-shaped double quantum dots coupled to two ferromagnetic leads by the Anderson Hamiltonian.We calculate the density of states in this system by solving Green function.Our results reveal that the density of states show some noticeable characteristics not only depending upon the interdot coupling t ab,the energy level ε d1 of the side coupled quantum dot QD b,and the relative angle θ of magnetic moment M,but also the asymmetry parameter α in ferromagnetic leads and so on.All these parameters greatly influence the density of states of the central quantum dot QD a.This system is a possible candidate for spin valve transistors and may have potential applications in the spintronics.     

Calculation of optical properties of a quantum dot embedded in a GaN/AlGaN nanocolumn

The TiberCAD simulation tool for calculation of optical and electronic properties of nanostructured devices has been used to study spontaneous emission of a GaN quantum dot embedded in an AlGaN nanocolumn. Macroscopic calculations provide corrections to the quantum calculation, showing the role of strain and the polarization field in spectra and the electron and hole states arrangement.     

Transport through artificial single-molecule magnets: Spin-pair state sequential tunneling and Kondo effects

The transport properties of an artificial single-molecule magnet based on a CdTe quantum dot doped with a single Mn+2 ion(S=5/2) are investigated by the non-equilibrium Green function method.We consider a minimal model where the Mn-hole exchange coupling is strongly anisotropic so that spin-flip is suppressed and the impurity spin S and a hole spin s entering the quantum dot are coupled into spin pair states with(2S+1) sublevels.In the sequential tunneling regime,the differential conductance exhibits(2S+1) possible peaks,corresponding to resonance tunneling via(2S+1) sublevels.At low temperature,Kondo physics dominates transport and(2S+1) Kondo peaks occur in the local density of states and conductance.These peaks originate from the spin-singlet state formed by the holes in the leads and on the dot via higher-order processes and are related to the parallel and antiparallel spin pair states.     

量子点环的电子输运研究

利用非平衡格林函数方法，研究了量子点环的相干输运性质. 结果表明：与一维量子点阵列 相比，量子点环中的电子出现更多新的准束缚能级. 量子点间耦合的增强会使微分电导振荡 出现退相干现象. 关键词： 量子点 电导     

基于有限元法的光子并矢格林函数重整化及其在自发辐射率和能级移动研究中的应用

任意微纳结构中量子点的自发辐射率和能级移动均可用并矢格林函数表达.当源点和场点在同一位置时,格林函数的实部是发散的.为解决这一发散问题,可采用重整化格林函数方法.本文提出一种计算重整化格林函数和散射格林函数的方法.该方法利用有限元,计算点电偶极子的辐射场,将其在量子点体积内做平均得到重整化的并矢格林函数,减去均匀空间中解析的重整化格林函数,得到重整化的散射格林函数.在均匀空间情况下,本方法所得数值结果与解析解一致.将该方法应用到银纳米球系统,以解析的散射格林函数作为参考,结果表明该方法能准确处理散射格林函数的重整化问题.将该方法应用到表面等离激元纳米腔中,发现有极大的自发辐射增强和能级移动,且该结果不依赖于量子点的体积.这些研究在光与物质相互作用领域具有积极的意义.     

低维纳米材料量子热输运与自旋热电性质 ——非平衡格林函数方法的应用

低维材料不断涌现的新奇性质吸引着科学研究者的目光. 除了电子的量子输运行为之外, 人们也陆续发现和确认了热输运中显著的量子行为, 如 热导低温量子化、声子子带、尺寸效应、瓶颈效应等. 这些小尺度体系的热输运性质可以很好地用非平衡格林函数来描述. 本文首先介绍了量子热输运的特性、声子非平衡格林函数方法及其在低维纳米材料中的研究进展; 其次回顾了近年来在 一系列低维材料中发现的热-自旋输运现象. 这些自旋热学现象展现了全新的热电转换机制, 有助于设计新型的热电转换器件, 同时也给出了用热产生自旋流的新途径; 最后介绍了线性响应理论以及在此理论框架下结合声子、电子非平衡格林函数方法进行的一些有益的探索. 量子热输运的研究对热效应基础研究以及声子学器件、能量转换器件的发展有着不可替代的重要作用.     

Influence of intradot Coulomb correlations on the Andreev reflection in a ferromagnetic metal/quantum dot/superconductor hybrid junction

Spin-dependent tunneling through a quantum dot coupled to one ferromagnetic and onesuperconducting electrodes is studied in the Andreev reflection (AR) regime. Electricalconductance is calculated within the nonequilibrium Green function technique. Features ofthe AR current involved by the intradot Coulomb correlations (or the dot’s chargingenergy U) and in the presence of the Zeeman splitting of the dotdiscrete level are analyzed in both linear and nonlinear transport regimes. A newinterference effect due to AR is predicted to appear in the case of a weak on-dotrepulsion. Strong Coulomb correlations studied in nonequilibrium situation revealedsignificant modifications of the AR differential conductance occurring only in case ofspin-polarized transmission. Origin of a variety of the multipeak structure of theconductance for the system with the interacting quantum dot, as well as the conditions forthe perfect U-dependent AR transmission are also discussed.     

测量对量子点装置中Fano效应的影响

考虑一个将点接触接入到单量子点体系中的装置,利用此装置可以监测到点接触的测量对量子点体系的影响。我们利用非平衡格林函数方法对体系进行了数值计算,发现无论量子点与两边导线的耦合系数是否对称,点接触与量子点之间的库仑相互作用都可以改变体系的透射曲线,甚至还可以控制Fano线性的产生和消失。     

T型量子点结构中的自旋极化输运过程

我们利用单杂质Anderson模型及运动方程等理论,通过求解格林函数的方法研究了通过T型量子点结构(耦合于铁磁电极和介观环量子点结构)的自旋极化输运过程.研究结果表明,与量子点相耦合的铁磁电极中的极化强度是控制量子点电子输运的重要参数,由此可以达到自旋阀效应.另外我们还发现与量子点相耦合的介观环中的磁通会影响电子自旋向上和自旋向下近藤共振峰的分裂程度,但若加入适当的外磁场,那么这样的分裂将被抵消。     

Half-integer filling-factor states in quantum dots

The emergence of half-integer filling-factor states, such as upsilon=5/2 and 7/2, is found in quantum dots by using numerical many-electron methods. These states have interesting similarities and differences with their counterstates found in the two-dimensional electron gas. The upsilon=1/2 states in quantum dots are shown to have high overlaps with the composite fermion states. The lower overlap of the Pfaffian state indicates that electrons might not be paired in quantum dot geometry. The predicted upsilon=5/2 state has a high spin polarization, which may have an impact on the spin transport through quantum dot devices.