Conductance of a quantum wire in the Wigner crystal regime

TL;DR

This paper investigates how Coulomb interactions and the formation of a Wigner crystal in a low-density quantum wire influence its conductance, revealing a temperature-dependent transition from 2e^2/h to e^2/h.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of conductance behavior in a Wigner crystal regime, highlighting the role of spin interactions and temperature effects.

Findings

Conductance remains near 2e^2/h at low T

Conductance drops to e^2/h at high T

Spin interactions cause temperature-dependent conductance change

Abstract

We study the effect of Coulomb interactions on the conductance of a single-mode quantum wire connecting two bulk leads. When the density of electrons in the wire is very low, they arrange in a finite-length Wigner crystal. In this regime the electron spins form an antiferromagnetic Heisenberg chain with exponentially small coupling J. An electric current in the wire perturbs the spin chain and gives rise to a temperature-dependent contribution of the spin subsystem to the resistance. At low temperature T << J this effect is small, and the conductance of the wire remains close to 2e^2/h. At T >> J the spin effect reduces the conductance to e^2/h.