We address the problem of transmission of electrons between two noninteracting leads through a region where they interact (quantum dot). We use a model of spinless electrons hopping on a one-dimensional lattice and with an interaction on a single bond. We show that all the two-particle scattering states can be found exactly. Comparisons are made with numerical results on the time evolution of a two-particle wave packet and several interesting features are found for scattering. For N particles the scattering state is obtained by perturbation theory. For a dot connected to Fermi seas at different chemical potentials, we find an expression for the change in the Landauer current resulting from the interactions on the dot. We end with some comments on the case of spin-1/2 electrons.
Resonant Rayleigh scattering of light from electrons confined in gallium arsenide double quantum wells displays significant changes at temperatures that are below one degree Kelvin. The Rayleigh resonance occurs for photon energies that overlap a quantum well exciton and when electron bilayers condense into a quantum-Hall state. Marked changes in Rayleigh scattering intensities that occur in response to application of an in-plane magnetic field indicate that the unexpected temperature dependence is linked to formation of non-uniform electron fluids in a disordered quantum-Hall phase. These results demonstrate a new realm of study in which resonant Rayleigh scattering methods probe quantum phases of cold electrons in semiconductor heterostructures.
We have realized an AlAs two-dimensional electron system in which electrons occupy conduction-band valleys with different Fermi contours and effective masses. In the quantum Hall regime, we observe both resistivity spikes and persistent gaps at crossings between the Landau levels originating from these two valleys. From the positions of the spikes in tilted magnetic field and measurements of the energy gaps away from the crossings, we find that, after occupation of the minority valley, the spin susceptibility drops rapidly, and the electrons possess a {it single} interaction-enhanced g-factor, despite the dissimilarity of the two occupied valleys.
We report direct measurements of the valley susceptibility, the change of valley population in response to applied symmetry-breaking strain, in an AlAs two-dimensional electron system. As the two-dimensional density is reduced, the valley susceptibility dramatically increases relative to its band value, reflecting the systems strong electron-electron interaction. The increase has a remarkable resemblance to the enhancement of the spin susceptibility and establishes the analogy between the spin and valley degrees of freedom.
Compressible electron flow through a narrow cavity is theoretically unstable, and the oscillations occurring during the instability have been proposed as a method of generating Terahertz radiation. We numerically demonstrate that the endpoint of this instability is a nonlinear hydrodynamic oscillator, consisting of an alternating shock wave and rarefaction-like relaxation flowing back and forth in the device. This qualitative physics is robust to cavity inhomogeneity and changes in the equation of state of the fluid. We discuss the frequency and amplitude dependence of the emitted radiation on physical parameters (viscosity, momentum relaxation rate, and bias current) beyond linear response theory, providing clear predictions for future experiments.
We study interacting GaAs hole bilayers in the limit of zero tunneling. When the layers have equal densities, we observe a phase coherent bilayer quantum Hall (QH) state at total filling factor $ u=1$, flanked by insulating phases at nearby fillings which suggest the formation of a pinned, bilayer Wigner crystal. As we transfer charge from one layer to another, the insulating phases disappear while, surprisingly, the $ u=1$ QH state becomes stronger. Concomitantly, a pronounced hysteresis develops in the longitudinal magnetoresistance at higher fillings, indicative of a first-order quantum phase transition.