Scattering of plasmons at the intersection of two metallic nanotubes: Implications for tunnelling

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates plasmon scattering at the intersection of two metallic carbon nanotubes, revealing oscillatory transmission behavior and unique tunneling density of states features influenced by crossing angle and interaction parameters.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical model for plasmon scattering at nanotube intersections, highlighting the effects of crossing angle and interaction strength on transmission and tunneling properties.

Findings

Transmission coefficient oscillates with interaction parameter and crossing angle.

Tunneling density of states exhibits aperiodic oscillations with a slow envelope.

Crossed nanotubes show distinct plasmon scattering signatures compared to single nanotubes.

Abstract

We study theoretically the plasmon scattering at the intersection of two metallic carbon nanotubes. We demonstrate that for a small angle of crossing, $\theta \ll 1$, the transmission coefficient is an oscillatory function of $\lambda/\theta$, where $\lambda$ is the interaction parameter of the Luttinger liquid in an individual nanotube. We calculate the tunnel density of states, $\nu(\omega,x)$, as a function of energy, $\omega$, and distance, $x$, from the intersection. In contrast to a single nanotube, we find that, in the geometry of crossed nanotubes, conventional "rapid" oscillations in $\nu(\omega,x)$ due to the plasmon scattering acquire an aperiodic "slow-breathing" envelope which has $\lambda/\theta$ nodes.