Scattering in quantum wires and junctions of quantum wires with edge states of quantum spin Hall insulators

TL;DR

This paper introduces a new boundary condition parameter in continuum models to accurately describe scattering in quantum wires and junctions with quantum spin Hall insulator edges, bridging lattice and continuum approaches.

Contribution

It develops a boundary condition parameter c for continuum models that captures lattice scattering due to unequal bonds, and applies it to analyze quantum wire-QSHI junctions.

Findings

Identified boundary conditions for maximum transmission in wire-QSHI junctions.

Mapped lattice scattering results to continuum models using parameter c.

Analytically calculated scattering amplitudes for complex junctions.

Abstract

An integral part of scattering theory calculations in continuum quantum systems involves identifying appropriate boundary conditions in addition to writing down the correct Hamiltonian. In the simplest problem of scattering in one dimensional lattice, scattering due to an on-site potential and scattering due to an unequal bond (in otherwise translationally invariant lattice) give different results for scattering amplitudes. While the scattering problems in the continuum and the lattice models can be mapped to one another for scattering due to on-site potential, the equivalent continuum model for scattering due to an unequal bond is missing. We introduce a new parameter $c$ in the boundary condition of the continuum model that is equivalent to scattering due to an unequal bond on the lattice. Further, we study a junction between a normal metal quantum wire and a one dimensional edge of quantum spin Hall insulator (QSHI) in continuum using the parameter $c$. In the case of a junction between a normal metal quantum wire and the edge of QSHI, we identify the boundary condition that permits maximum transmission. Further, we solve the scattering problem between the junction of quantum wire and QSHI using a lattice model and map it to continuum model results. The problem of transport between four channels of spinful normal metal quantum wire and two channels of QSHI edge is not well-defined. We rectify this situation by formulating the scattering problem in terms of a junction of a semi-infinite normal metal quantum wire with an infinite edge of QSHI, gapping out one semi-infinite section of the QSHI edge by a Zeeman field and applying an appropriate boundary condition at the junction. We calculate the scattering amplitudes analytically.