Counterflow of electrons in two isolated quantum point contacts

We study the interaction between two adjacent but electrically isolated quantum point contacts (QPCs). At high enough source-drain bias on one QPC, the drive QPC, we detect a finite electric current in the second, unbiased, detector QPC. The current generated at the detector QPC always flows in the opposite direction than the current of the drive QPC. The generated current is maximal, if the detector QPC is tuned to a transition region between its quantized conductance plateaus and the drive QPC is almost pinched-off. We interpret this counterflow phenomenon in terms of an asymmetric phonon-induced excitation of electrons in the leads of the detector QPC.     

Interference of ballistic electrons in an open quantum dot at high temperatures

The Aharonov-Bohm-type oscillations in the ballistic magnetoconductivity of an open quantum dot ～1 μm in size created in the GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure by local anode oxidation have been studied. The measurements have been performed at temperatures of 4.2 and 1.5 K, which are high enough to expect a considerable suppression of the oscillations with period h/e (in magnetic flux units). The magnetoconductivity oscillations with a period less than the quantum h/e with respect to the magnetic field are observed at 1.5 K. The explanation is proposed on the basis of the interference of the electrons moving along the time-reversed paths inscribed into the quantum dot that have their initial and final points at one of the contacts, i.e., corresponding to a period of h/2e.     

Filling factor dependence of the fractional quantum Hall effect gap

We directly measure the chemical potential jump in the low-temperature limit when the filling factor traverses the nu=1/3 and nu=2/5 fractional gaps in two-dimensional (2D) electron system in GaAs/AlGaAs single heterojunctions. In high magnetic fields B, both gaps are linear functions of B with slopes proportional to the inverse fraction denominator, 1/q. The fractional gaps close partially when the Fermi level lies outside. An empirical analysis indicates that the chemical potential jump for an ideal 2D electron system, in the highest accessible magnetic fields, is proportional to q(-1) B(1/2).     

A monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode

In this article we compare the classical monopole mass filter of von Zahn and the monopole mass filter with a hyperbolic V-shaped electrode. The experimental results and those of computer simulation for both mass spectrometers are presented. We show that the replacement of a conventional 90 degrees V-shaped electrode by an electrode with a hyperbolic profile substantially improves the peak shape of any given mass, and increases the mass resolution by a factor of 3-4 and the abundance sensitivity by a factor of 100. The potential of high analytical performance combined with electroforming techniques for electrode manufacture indicate future practical uses of such instruments. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A three body approach to study the structural properties of 2-n halo nuclei and the search for Efimov states

The discovery of neutron rich isotopes of the lightest elements on the neutron drip line exhibiting a halo structure has opened up new vistas in research activities. The novel structural features associated with the halo phenomena have been the subject for extensive theoretical and experimental investigations in recent times. In this talk, I propose to present a broad overview of the recent developments in this field, bringing out the striking features which show that a large number oflight nuclei near the neutron drip line are characterized by a clear separation between a ‘normal’ core nucleus and a loosely bound low density veil of neutrons. Specifically, the two neutron halos offer a natural premises, from a theoretical standpoint, to employ three body techniques for studying their detailed structural properties. A considerable part of the talk will be devoted to report and highlight the results on a number of light halo nuclei such as ¹¹Li, ¹¹Be, ¹⁹B and ²²C on which we have been carrying out investigations employing a simple but realistic three body model. These three body systems which have been termed as ‘Borromean’ (i.e while three body systems are bound, the corresponding binary subsystems on the other hand are unbound) are characterized by large spacial extension and very low separation energy of the neutron. They are, therefore, ideally suited for exploring the possibility of the existence of Efimov states in two neutron halo nuclei. We have recently carried out the three body analyses to predict the possibility of the occurrence of such states on which experimental work at various laboratories is underway.     

Shape resonances in slow electron scattering by aromatic molecules. I. Anthraquinone derivatives

A series of anthraquinone (C(14)O(2)H(8)) derivatives has been studied by means of electron capture negative ion mass spectrometry (ECNI-MS), photoelectron spectroscopy (PES), and AM1 quantum chemical calculations. Mean lifetimes of molecular negative ions M(-.) (MNI) have been measured. The mechanism of long-lived MNI formation in the epithermal energy region of incident electrons has been investigated. A simple model of a molecule (a spherical potential well with the repulsive centrifugal term) has been applied for the analysis of the energy dependence of cross sections at the first stage of the electron capture process. It has been shown that a temporary resonance of MNI at the energy approximately 0.5 eV corresponds to a shape resonance with lifetime 1-2.10(-13) s in the f-partial wave (l = 3) of the incident electron. The next resonant state of MNI at the energy approximately 1.7 eV has been associated with the electron excited Feshbach resonance (whose parent state is a triplet npi* transition). In all cases the initial electron state of the MNI relaxes into the ground state by means of a radiationless transition, and the final state of the MNI is a nuclear excited resonance with a lifetime measurable on the mass spectrometry timescale. Copyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Universal Bottleneck for Thermal Relaxation in Disordered Metallic Films

JETP Letters - We study the heat relaxation in current biased metallic films in the regime of strong electron–phonon coupling. A thermal gradient in the direction normal to the film is...     

Pair scattering of electrons in edge channels of opposite chiralities in the presence of a disorder potential

The nonequilibrium transfer of the energy between electrons of counter-propagating quasi-one-dimensional systems has been perturbatively calculated for edge channels in a two-dimensional system in the integer quantum Hall effect. The processes involving two electrons that are allowed only in the system with disorder have been taken into account. Expressions for the cases of Coulomb scattering and transfer of nonequilibrium phonons have been obtained. The energy transferred per unit time has a quasi-threshold dependence on the degree of nonequilibrium of the hot channel. According to numerical estimates for electrons in GaAs, Coulomb scattering processes dominate in the energy transfer and the expected effect can be experimentally observed.     

Calculation of the anisotropic mobility in (110) AlAs quantum wells at zero temperature

We calculate the mobility of the two-dimensional electron gas as realized in (110) AlAs quantum wells at zero temperature. In this structure the mass is strongly anisotropic which gives rise to an anisotropic mobility. By using a theoretical approach developed by Tokura [Phys. Rev. B 58, 7151 (1998)] we numerically calculate the anisotropic mobility. We study impurity scattering in quantum wells having an ellipsoidal Fermi surface. We find that increasing the electron density and/or the well width results in reduction of the anisotropy of the mobility while the anisotropy in the scattering time is increased. A strong dependence of the mobility anisotropy on the impurity position is predicted. Excellent agreement with a recently published experimental result is found under the assumption that impurities are located at the edge of the quantum well.