Electron–electron scattering and the transport properties of two-dimensional ballistic contacts

Recent results on the effect of electron–electron collisions on the electric properties of contacts to a twodimensional electron gas with a direct conductivity in the absence of scattering by impurities and boundaries have been reviewed. A correction to the conductance of such contacts owing to the electron–electron scattering can be either positive or negative depending on the contact geometry. The magnitude of this correction strongly depends on the magnetic field.     

Model-independent extraction of two-photon effects in elastic electron–proton scattering

We address the discrepancy between the Rosenbluth and polarization transfer data for the electromagnetic form factors of the nucleon. Assuming that the effect of two-photon corrections on the polarization transfer data is negligible, we obtain a model-independent estimate of the two-photon correction Δ2γ${\Delta }^{2\gamma }$. We analyze the polarization transfer data and the cross section data separately using dispersion relations. A central value as well as an error estimate for Δ2γ${\Delta }^{2\gamma }$ is then obtained from a comparison of the two analyses. The resulting values for Δ2γ${\Delta }^{2\gamma }$ are in good agreement with direct calculations available in the literature.     

Spin–orbit scattering effect on electron–electron interactions in disordered metals

We have measured the low-temperature resistivities of a series of bulk crystalline disordered Ti_73−xAl₂₇Sn_x alloys (x≲5) as well as the sheet resistances of a number of thin ferromagnetic Ni films (≈120 Å thick) sandwiching an ultrathin Ag or Au (≲5 Å) layer. The level of impurities (concentration of Sn in the former case, and thickness of Ag or Au in the latter case) is progressively increased in order to enhance the spin–orbit scattering in a controllable manner. The influence of the spin–orbit scattering on the electron–electron interaction effects is studied from the temperature dependence of resistivities (sheet resistance) at low temperatures. We find that the electron–electron interaction contribution to the resistivities (sheet resistances) increases slightly with increasing spin–orbit scattering. Our observation is discussed in terms of the current theoretical concept for the electron–electron interactions in disordered metals.     

Effects of squeezing-antisqueezing in strongly coupled electron–phonon systems

The effects of squeezing-antisqueezing resulting from the motion and density fluctuation of the electrons on the properties of both electrons and phonons have been studied by using a new variational ansatz with correlated displacement and squeezing in strongly coupled electron–phonon systems. The effects results in (1) reduction of the ground state energy, and enhancement of stability of the systems, (2) increase of the binding energy of the polaron occurred and weakening of growing speed of polaron narrowing of electron band, (3) increase of the charge density wave order and (4) suppression of increased tendency of anomalous quantum fluctuation of the phonons in the systems. The antisqueezed effect plays an important role in determining the properties of the electrons and phonons in the strongly coupled electron–phonon systems.     

Effects of electron–electron interaction on the collinear indirect exchange coupling in graphene nanoflakes

Using the Hubbard model in the framework of the tight-binding formulation, we studied the effects of the electron–electron (e–e) interaction on the indirect magnetic exchange coupling between the magnetic impurities embedded in triangular graphene nanoflakes. The results show that the magnitude of the coupling enhances in the presence of the e–e interaction and Rashba spin–orbit interaction (RSOI). The RKKY coupling magnitude depends on the impurity positions in nanoflake and the size of the system, as well.     

Contribution of electron–magnon scattering to the spin-dependent Seebeck effect in a ferromagnet

We solve the Boltzmann’s transport equations for conduction electrons in a ferromagnet considering electron–magnon scattering. Such scattering gives rise to a spin dependent Seebeck coefficient, which in turn implies that the spin current can be generated by applying a temperature gradient. We estimate the temperature gradient required for switching a nano-magnet by using spin-transfer torque.     

Effects of electron correlation on superconductivity in the Hatsugai–Kohmoto model

Understanding how electrons form pairs in the presence of strong electron correlations demands going beyond the BCS paradigm. We study a correlated superconducting model where the correlation effects are accounted for by a U term local in momentum space. The electron correlation is treated exactly while the electron pairing is treated approximately using the mean-field theory. The self-consistent equation for the pair potential is derived and solved. Somewhat contrary to expectation, a weak attractive U comparable to the pair potential can destroy the superconductivity, whereas for weak to intermediate repulsive U, the pair potential can be enhanced. The fidelity of the mean-field ground state is calculated to describe the strength of the elelectron correlation. We show that the pair potential is not equal to the single-electron superconducting gap for the strongly correlated superconductors, in contrast to the uncorrelated BCS limit.     

The second Born approximation of electron–argon elastic scattering in a bichromatic laser field

We study the elastic scattering of atomic argon by electron in the presence of a bichromatic laser field in the second Born approximation. The target atom is approximated by a simple screening potential and the continuum states of the impinging and emitting electrons are described as Volkov states. We evaluate the S-matrix elements numerically. The dependence of differential cross-section on the relative phase between the two laser components is presented. The results obtained in the first and second Born approximations are compared and analysed.     

Strangeness in the nucleon: neutrino–nucleon and polarized electron–nucleon scattering

After the EMC and subsequent experiments at CERN, SLAC and DESY on the deep inelastic scattering of polarized leptons on polarized nucleons, it is now established that the Q²=0 value of the axial strange form factor of the nucleon, a quantity which is connected with the spin of the proton and is quite relevant from the theoretical point of view, is relatively large.In this review, we consider different methods and observables that allow one to obtain information on the strange axial and vector form factors of the nucleon at different values of Q². These methods are based on the investigation of the neutral current induced effects such as the P-odd asymmetry in the scattering of polarized electrons on protons and nuclei, the elastic neutrino (antineutrino) scattering on protons and the quasi-elastic neutrino (antineutrino) scattering on nuclei. We discuss in detail the phenomenology of these processes and the existing experimental data.     

Electronic Raman scattering and the electron–phonon interaction in YB6

Electronic Raman scattering in YB₆ and in its structural and electronic analog LaB₆ has been studied in the temperature range of 10–730 K. The experimental spectra have been compared to those calculated on the basis of ab initio band structures with renormalization owing to the electron–phonon interaction. Good agreement between the calculation and experiment for LaB₆ has been obtained throughout the entire temperature range. This allows the determination of the coupling constant λ _ep = 0.25. To satisfactorily describe the spectra of electronic light scattering in YB₆, it is necessary to introduce an additional electron relaxation channel. In this case, the estimate of the electron–phonon coupling constant λ _ep is no more than 0.4; for this reason, a high superconducting transition temperature cannot be explained only by the phonon mechanism.     

Percolation and the electron–electron interaction in an array of antidots

A square lattice of microcontacts with a period of 1 μm in a dense low-mobility two-dimensional electron gas is studied experimentally and numerically. At the variation of the gate voltage V _g , the conductivity of the array varies by five orders of magnitude in the temperature range T from 1.4 to 77 K in good agreement with the formula σ(V _g ) = (V _g ?V _g ^* (T))^β with β = 4. The saturation of σ(T) at low temperatures is absent because of the electron–electron interaction. A random-lattice model with a phenomenological potential in microcontacts reproduces the dependence σ(T, V _g ) and makes it possible to determine the fraction of microcontacts x(V _g , T) with conductances higher than σ. It is found that the dependence x(V _g ) is nonlinear and the critical exponent in the formula σ ∝ ? (x - 1/2) ^t in the range 1.3 < t(T, V _g ) < β.     

Contributions of impurity band and electron–electron interactions to magnetoconductance in AlGaN

Low temperature electrical measurements of conductivity, the Hall effect and magnetoconductance were performed on a degenerate AlGaN sample. The sample exhibited negative magnetoconductance at low magnetic fields and low temperatures, with the magnitude being systematically dependent on temperature. The measured magnetoconductance was compared with models proposed previously by Sondheimer and Wilson [Proc. R. Soc. Lond. Ser. A 190 (1947) p. 435] and Lee and Ramakrishan [Rev. Mod. Phys. 57 (1985) p. 287]. Data were analyzed as the sum of the contribution of a two-band and electron–electron interactions to the magnetoconductance, applying these models to describe the observed behavior. Least-squares fits to the data are presented. In the sample, magnetoconductance can be explained reasonably well by assuming these contributions to the measured magnetoconductance. It was found that theoretical and experimental data were in excellent agreement.     

Excitation of strontium atom in electron–atom collisions

The excitation of ³D levels of strontium atom by slow monoenergetic electrons has been studied experimentally. Thirty six excitation cross-sections were measured at 30-eV electron energy. Optical excitation functions for most of the transitions were recorded in the 0–200-eV electron-energy range. The excitation cross-section as a function of the principal quantum number has been found to correspond to a power law for all ³D series.     

Negative differential conductivity in quantum well with complex potential profile for electron–phonon scattering

The effect of phonon scattering on electrical conductivity (EC) of 2D electron gas in quantum well (QW) systems with a complicated potential profile is described. Dependence of QW electrical conductivity on QW parameters (such as QW width, Fermi level positions etc.) when phonon scattering is employed has been calculated. NDC in EC when it varies with width of the QW has been found.