Self-equilibration theorem in quantum-point contacts of interacting electrons: time-dependent quantum fluctuations of tunnel transport beyond the Levitov-Lesovik scattering approach

TL;DR

This paper proves the self-equilibration theorem for quantum fluctuations in interacting electron tunnel contacts, revealing a universal phenomenon beyond traditional scattering approaches and providing new insights into non-equilibrium quantum transport dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces the self-equilibration theorem and lemma, demonstrating a novel emergent phenomenon in quantum fluctuations of electron transport in Luttinger liquids, extending beyond Levitov-Lesovik theory.

Findings

Proof of self-equilibration theorem and lemma for Luttinger liquids

Derivation of a universal differential equation for time-dependent Keldysh partition function

Introduction of the steady flow rate as a new disequilibrium measure

Abstract

Equilibration to the steady state for a wide class of Luttinger liquid ballistic weakly linked tunnel contacts is extensively studied. Quantum fluctuations of tunnel current are considered in all orders in tunnel coupling and out of the equilibrium in the time domain. Especially, two important mathematical statements: Self-equilibration (SE-)theorem and Self-equilibration (SE-)lemma on the exact re-exponentiation of thermal average from the Keldysh-contour-ordered evolution operator for arbitrary weakly linked Luttinger liquid tunnel contact are proven. Demonstrated proof of SE-theorem and SE-lemma represents first evidence of a novel emergent phenomenon of "self-equilibration" in the dynamics of quantum fluctuations of electron transport through ballistic tunnel junctions. This phenomenon and all related real-time full counting statistics are shown to be much more general as compared to the usual Levitov-Lesovik scattering approach for the non-interacting electrons, though SE-theorem also contains known results obtained within the Levitov-Lesovik scattering approach as corresponding limiting case for lowest order cumulants at $ g=1 $. As the result, corresponding differential equation of "self-equilibration" for time-dependent Keldysh partition function of tunnel contact is derived and explained. As the consequence of obtained results, a universal character of self-equilibration of tunnel current in one-dimensional weakly linked tunnel junctions is revealed and studied on the level of non-equilibrium Fano factor. As well, a new measure of disequilibrium in such systems - the "steady flow" rate - is also introduced and discussed.