Weak localization, Aharonov-Bohm oscillations and decoherence in arrays of quantum dots

Abstract

Combining scattering matrix theory with non-linear $\sigma$-model and Keldysh technique we develop a unified theoretical approach enabling one to non-perturbatively study the effect of electron-electron interactions on weak localization and Aharonov-Bohm oscillations in arbitrary arrays of quantum dots. Our model embraces (i) weakly disordered conductors (ii) strongly disordered conductors and (iii) metallic quantum dots. In all these cases at $T\to 0$ the electron decoherence time is found to saturate to a finite value determined by the universal formula which agrees quantitatively with numerous experimental results. Our analysis provides overwhelming evidence in favor of electron-electron interactions as a universal mechanism for zero temperature electron decoherence in disordered conductors.

19 pages, 13 figures, invited paper, published in a special issue of Fiz. Nizk. Temp. (Kharkov) dedicated to Prof. Igor Kulik

References in corpus (13)

• Scaling of the low temperature dephasing rate in Kondo systems
• Experimental Test of the Numerical Renormalization Group Theory for Inelastic Scattering from Magnetic Impurities
• Dephasing due to electron-electron interaction in a diffusive ring
• Phase coherence of conduction electrons below the Kondo temperature
• Electron coherence at low temperatures: The role of magnetic impurities
• Quantum decoherence of interacting electrons in arrays of quantum dots and diffusive conductors
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• $G_Q$-corrections in Circuit Theory of Quantum Transport
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Cited by in corpus (2)

• Electron dephasing in homogeneous and inhomogeneous indium tin oxide thin films
• Simultaneous observation of small- and large-energy-transfer electron-electron scattering in three dimensional indium oxide thick films