Atomic Resolution Imaging of Currents in Nanoscopic Quantum Networks via Scanning Tunneling Microscopy

TL;DR

This paper introduces a novel atomic-scale imaging technique using STM to visualize coherent electron flow in nanoscopic quantum networks, revealing detailed current pathways.

Contribution

The paper presents a new method for atomic-resolution imaging of current patterns in quantum networks using STM, applicable to various topologies and resilient to dephasing.

Findings

Successful imaging of current riverbeds at atomic scale

Method applicable to different network topologies

Robust against dephasing effects

Abstract

We propose a new method for atomic-scale imaging of spatial current patterns in nanoscopic quantum networks by using scanning tunneling microscopy (STM). By measuring the current flowing from the STM tip into one of the leads attached to the network as a function of tip position, one obtains an atomically resolved spatial image of "current riverbeds" whose spatial structure reflects the coherent flow of electrons out of equilibrium. We show that this method can be successfully applied in variety of network topologies, and is robust against dephasing effects.