Quantum flicker noise in atomic and molecular junctions

TL;DR

This paper identifies and analyzes a quantum form of flicker noise in atomic and molecular junctions, revealing its dependence on transmission channels and potential as a diagnostic tool for quantum transport properties.

Contribution

It introduces the concept of quantum flicker noise in nanoscale conductors and demonstrates its unique dependence on transmission channels, advancing quantum transport diagnostics.

Findings

Quantum flicker noise depends on transmission channel distribution.

It can serve as a diagnostic for quantum conductors.

Experimental and theoretical analysis confirms the quantum nature of flicker noise.

Abstract

We report on a quantum form of electronic flicker noise in nanoscale conductors that contains valuable information on quantum transport. This noise is experimentally identified in atomic and molecular junctions, and theoretically analyzed by considering quantum interference due to fluctuating scatterers. Using conductance, shot noise, and flicker noise measurements, we show that the revealed quantum flicker noise uniquely depends on the distribution of transmission channels, a key characteristic of quantum conductors. This dependence opens the door for the application of flicker noise as a diagnostic probe for fundamental properties of quantum conductors and many-body quantum effects, a role that up to now has been performed by the experimentally less-accessible shot noise.