Theory of Quantum Corrals and Quantum Mirages

TL;DR

This paper reviews the physics of quantum corrals, their electron scattering properties, and explains recent quantum mirage experiments, including the Kondo effect, on metallic surfaces using STM data.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive theoretical framework linking STM signals to electron scattering in quantum corrals, including recent experimental phenomena like quantum mirages and Kondo effects.

Findings

Quantitative description of STM data on quantum corrals

Explanation of quantum mirage phenomena with Kondo effect

Discussion of variations like optical and acoustical corrals

Abstract

Quantum corrals are two dimensional structures built atom by atom on an atomically clean metallic surface using a scanning tunneling microscope. These two dimensional structures ``corral'' electrons in the surface states of noble metals which lead to standing wave patterns in the electron density inside the quantum corral. We review the physics of quantum corrals and relate the signal of the scanning tunneling microscope to the scattering properties of substrate electrons from atomic impurities supported on the surface. The theory includes the effects of incoherent surface state electron scattering at the impurities and quantitively describes all of the current STM data on quantum corrals, including the recent quantum mirage experiments with Kondo effect. We discuss the physics underlying the recent mirage experiments and review some of the outstanding questions regarding Kondo effect from impurities in nanoscale structures on metallic surfaces. We also summarize recent work on variations of ``quantum'' corrals: optical corrals and acoustical corrals.