Mechanism of electron localization in a quantum wire

TL;DR

This paper investigates how electron backscattering in quantum wires leads to quasi-bound states, affecting electron transmission, with calculations based on the Hartree-Fock approximation to understand the localization mechanism.

Contribution

It provides a detailed analysis of electron localization due to backscattering in quantum wires, highlighting the formation of quasi-bound states in smooth transition regions.

Findings

Quasi-bound states cause resonances in transmission probability.

Backscattering is driven by electron density oscillations.

Hartree-Fock calculations reveal the localization mechanism.

Abstract

We show that quasi-bound electron states are formed in a quantum wire as a result of electron backscattering in the transition regions between the wire and the electron reservoirs, to which the wire is coupled. The backscattering mechanism is caused by electron density oscillations arising even in smooth transitions due to the reflection of electrons not transmitting through the wire. The quasi-bound states reveal themselves in resonances of the electron transmission probability through the wire. The calculations were carried out within the Hartree-Fock approximation using quasiclassic wavefunctions.