No Arabic abstract
We theoretically study quantum transport through a quantum dot coupled to Majorana bound states confined at the ends of a topological superconductor nanowire. The topological superconductor forms a loop and is threaded by a tunable magnetic flux which allows one to control the electron transport in the system. In particular, we investigate phonon-assisted transport properties in the device when the central quantum dot interacts with a single long-wave optical phonon mode. We find that when the two Majorana bound states are unhybridized, the zero-temperature linear conductance has a $2pi$ periodicity as a function of magnetic flux phase, independent of the electron-phonon interaction, the quantum dot energy, or the finite values of dot-Majorana couplings. For a finite overlap between the Majorana bound states, the linear conductance periodicity generally changes to $4pi$ either due to a finite electron-phonon coupling strength, or a dot level energy which is tuned away from the Fermi level. Additionally, the differential conductance periodicity changes from $2pi$ to $4pi$ when the Majorana bound states hybridize and the electron-phonon coupling is finite. Our results provide insight into transport signatures expected in topological quantum computational platforms which integrate quantum dots as a means for Majorana qubit readout. The energy exchange with an environmental bath, here a single phonon mode, significantly alters the current signatures expected from Majorana modes.
We study transport through a Weyl semimetal quantum dot sandwiched between an $s$-wave superconductor and a normal lead. The conductance peaks at regular intervals and exhibits double periodicity with respect to two characteristic frequencies of the system, one that originates from Klein tunneling in the system and the other coming from the chiral nature of the excitations. Using a scattering matrix approach as well as a lattice simulation, we demonstrate the universal features of the conductance through the system and discuss the feasibility of observing them in experiments.
Achieving controllable coupling of dopants in silicon is crucial for operating donor-based qubit devices, but it is difficult because of the small size of donor-bound electron wavefunctions. Here we report the characterization of a quantum dot coupled to a localized electronic state, and we present evidence of controllable coupling between the quantum dot and the localized state. A set of measurements of transport through this device enable the determination of the most likely location of the localized state, consistent with an electronically active impurity in the quantum well near the edge of the quantum dot. The experiments we report are consistent with a gate-voltage controllable tunnel coupling, which is an important building block for hybrid donor and gate-defined quantum dot devices.
Quantum confinement leads to the formation of discrete electronic states in quantum dots. Here we probe electron-phonon interactions in a suspended InAs nanowire double quantum dot (DQD) that is electric-dipole coupled to a microwave cavity. We apply a finite bias across the wire to drive a steady state population in the DQD excited state, enabling a direct measurement of the electron-phonon coupling strength at the DQD transition energy. The amplitude and phase response of the cavity field exhibit features that are periodic in the DQD energy level detuning due to the phonon modes of the nanowire. The observed cavity phase shift is consistent with theory that predicts a renormalization of the cavity center frequency by coupling to phonons.
We present transport measurements on a strongly coupled graphene quantum dot in a perpendicular magnetic field. The device consists of an etched single-layer graphene flake with two narrow constrictions separating a 140 nm diameter island from source and drain graphene contacts. Lateral graphene gates are used to electrostatically tune the device. Measurements of Coulomb resonances, including constriction resonances and Coulomb diamonds prove the functionality of the graphene quantum dot with a charging energy of around 4.5 meV. We show the evolution of Coulomb resonances as a function of perpendicular magnetic field, which provides indications of the formation of the graphene specific 0th Landau level. Finally, we demonstrate that the complex pattern superimposing the quantum dot energy spectra is due to the formation of additional localized states with increasing magnetic field.
The properties of an unconventional, single mode phonon bath coupled to a quantum dot, are investigated within the rotating wave approximation. The electron current through the dot induces an out of equilibrium bath, with a phonon distribution qualitatively different from the thermal one. In selected transport regimes, such a distribution is characterized by a peculiar selective population of few phonon modes and can exhibit a sub-Poissonian behavior. It is shown that such a sub-Poissonian behavior is favored by a double occupancy of the dot. The crossover from a unequilibrated to a conventional thermal bath is explored, and the limitations of the rotating wave approximation are discussed.