On nonuniversal conductance quantization in high-quality quantum wires

TL;DR

This paper provides a theoretical explanation for deviations from universal conductance quantization in high-quality quantum wires, attributing the anomalies to enhanced backscattering rather than intrinsic 1DEG properties.

Contribution

It offers a new theoretical perspective on conductance deviations, linking them to backscattering effects rather than fundamental 1DEG characteristics.

Findings

Deviations from $2e^2/h$ are due to enhanced backscattering at low temperatures.

The anomalies are not intrinsic to the 1DEG but result from external scattering effects.

Theoretical analysis aligns with recent experimental observations.

Abstract

We present a theoretical analysis of recent experimental results of Yacoby et al. on transport properties of high quality quantum wires. We suggest an explanation of observed deviations of the conductance from the universal value $2e^2/h$ per channel in the wire. We argue that at low temperatures and biases the deviation can be a consequence of anomalously enhanced backscattering of electrons entering the 2DEG from the wire and is not connected to intrinsic properties of 1DEG.