Quantum-dot lithium in strong-interaction regime: Depolarization of electron spins by magnetic field

TL;DR

This study reveals that in strongly interacting quantum-dot lithium, applying a magnetic field can cause depolarization of electron spins, contrary to typical polarization effects, based on exact-diagonalization analysis.

Contribution

It demonstrates that strong interactions can invert the usual magnetic field effect, leading to spin depolarization in quantum-dot lithium, a novel insight into spin behavior under magnetic fields.

Findings

Magnetic field can depolarize electron spins in strongly interacting systems.

Exact-diagonalization confirms the depolarization effect.

Strong interactions alter conventional spin response to magnetic fields.

Abstract

Magnetic field usually leads to a polarization of electron spins. It is shown that in a system of {\em strongly interacting} particles applying magnetic field may lead to an opposite effect -- depolarization of electron spins. Results of the work are based on an exact-diagonalization study of quantum-dot lithium -- a system of three Coulomb interacting two-dimensional electrons in a parabolic confinement potential.