Year: 2009
Type: article
Abstract: We study interaction-induced localization of electrons in an inhomogeneous quasi-one-dimensional system---a wire with two regions, one at low density and the other high. Quantum Monte Carlo techniques are used to treat the strong Coulomb interactions in the low-density region, where localization of electrons occurs. The nature of the transition from high to low density depends on the density gradient---if it is steep, a barrier develops between the two regions, causing Coulomb blockade effects. Ferromagnetic spin polarization does not appear for any parameters studied. The picture emerging is in good agreement with measurements of tunneling between wires.
Source: Physical Review B
Language: English
Subfield: Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2027907182
