Maximum-entropy model for quantum-mechanical interference effects in metallic conductors


Por: Mello P.A., Stone A.D.

Publicada: 1 ene 1991
Resumen:
We show that all the known quantum-mechanical interference effects characteristic of disordered conductors in the metallic limit can be obtained from a maximum-entropy model, based on a transfer-matrix formulation, which is independent of any particular form of the disordered microscopic Hamiltonian. In particular, we have derived the weak-localization effect and the associated backscattering peak, as well as the universal conductance fluctuations and the associated long-range correlations in transmission probabilities. We find precise quantitative agreement with microscopic Green-function calculations evaluated in the quasi-one-dimensional limit. We define two random-matrix ensembles characterizing systems with and without time-reversal symmetry (the analogs of the well-known orthogonal and unitary ensembles), and show that, within the model, breaking of time-reversal symmetry has the expected effect on these phenomena. The model has not been shown to yield behavior characteristic of the two- or three-dimensional limits, which appear to be outside its current range of validity. © 1991 The American Physical Society.

Filiaciones:
Mello P.A.:
 Instituto de Fisica, Universidad Nacional Autonoma de México, Apartado 20-364, 01000 México D.F., Mexico

Stone A.D.:
 Applied Physics, Yale University, P.O. Box 2157, New Haven, CT 06520, United States
ISSN: 01631829
Editorial
American Physical Society, ONE PHYSICS ELLIPSE, COLLEGE PK, MD 20740-3844 USA, Estados Unidos America
Tipo de documento: Article
Volumen: 44 Número: 8
Páginas: 3559-3576
WOS Id: A1991GC99500008
ID de PubMed: 9999986