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Determining the quantum-coherent to semiclassical transition in atomic-scale quasi-one-dimensional metals

Bent Weber and Michelle Y. Simmons
Phys. Rev. B 94, 081412(R) – Published 29 August 2016

Abstract

Atomic-scale silicon wires, patterned by scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) and degenerately doped with phosphorus (P), have attracted significant interest owing to their exceptionally low resistivity and semiclassical Ohmic conduction at temperatures as low as T=4.2K. Here, we investigate the transition from semiclassical diffusive to quantum-coherent conduction in a 4.6 nm wide wire as we decrease the measurement temperature. By analyzing the temperature dependence of universal conductance fluctuations (UCFs) and one-dimensional (1D) weak localization (WL)—fundamental manifestations of quantum-coherent transport in quasi-1D metals—we show that transport evolves from quantum coherent to semiclassical at T4K. Remarkably, our study confirms that universal concepts of mesoscopic physics such as UCF and 1D WL retain their validity in quasi-1D metallic conductors down to the atomic scale.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Received 5 July 2016

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.94.081412

©2016 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied PhysicsQuantum Information, Science & Technology

Authors & Affiliations

Bent Weber1,2,* and Michelle Y. Simmons1,†

  • 1Centre of Excellence for Quantum Computation and Communication Technology, School of Physics, University of New South Wales, Sydney, New South Wales 2052, Australia
  • 2School of Physics & Astronomy, Monash University, Clayton, Victoria 3800, Australia

  • *bent.weber@gmx.de
  • michelle.simmons@unsw.edu.au

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Issue

Vol. 94, Iss. 8 — 15 August 2016

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