Physics (Internal)

Non-Equilibrium Transport and Current Imaging in Nanoscopic Quantum Networks

This event is part of the Condensed Matter Theory Seminar Series.

Abstract: Understanding charge transport in nanoscale systems has attracted significant interest over the last few years in the context of molecular and nano-electronics and through advances in the fabrication of artificial quantum structures.  The coherent nature of such nanoscopic systems is of particular interest: it leads to the formation of eigenmodes in the density of states, which possess distinct spatial patterns and are the basis for the engineering of novel quantum phenomena, such as quantum imaging. 

In this talk, I will demonstrate that analogous spatial patterns also emerge in the charge transport through nanoscopic quantum networks in form of current eigenmodes. These eigenmodes can be selected through gating or via constrictions, thus allowing new venues for manipulating charge transport at the nanoscale. Moreover, I will show how the spatial patterns of current eigenmodes evolve with dephasing from the ballistic to the classical limit. Finally, I will demonstrate how atomically resolved imaging of spatial current patterns can be obtained using scanning tunneling microscopy.