Decoherence of charge states in double quantum dots due to cotunneling

TL;DR

This paper investigates how cotunneling processes cause decoherence in a double quantum dot charge qubit, revealing energy relaxation even without inter-dot coupling, which differs from traditional models.

Contribution

It introduces a detailed analysis of cotunneling-induced decoherence in double quantum dots using Schrieffer-Wolff transformation and Bloch-Redfield theory, highlighting energy relaxation mechanisms.

Findings

Energy relaxation occurs without inter-dot coupling.

Decoherence is driven by cotunneling to electronic leads.

Contrasts with predictions from the Spin-Boson model.

Abstract

Solid state quantum bits are a promising candidate for the realization of a scalable quantum computer, however, they are usually strongly limited by decoherence. We consider a double quantum dot charge qubit, whose basis states are defined by the position of an additional electron in the system of two laterally coupled quantum dots. The coupling of these two states can be controlled externally by a quantum point contact between the two dots. We discuss the decoherence through coupling to the electronic leads due to cotunneling processes. We focus on a simple Gedanken experiment, where the system is initially brought into a superposition and then the inter-dot coupling is removed nonadiabatically. We treat the system by invoking the Schrieffer-Wolff transformation in order to obtain a transformed Hamiltonian describing the cotunneling, and then obtain the dynamics of the density matrix using the Bloch-Redfield theory. As a main result, we show that there is energy relaxation even in the absence of inter-dot coupling. This is in contrast to what would be expected from the Spin-Boson model and is due to the fact that a quantum dot is coupled to two distinct baths.