Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems

Details Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems

1997-09-22

arxiv.org/abs/cond-mat/9709241v2

Physics

Condensed Matter

Withdrawn from PRL pending revisions

Scientific paper

We point out that even at the absolute zero of temperature environmental decoherence limits the destructive interference between time-reversed paths for an electron in a disordered metal, and thus causes the leading (`weak localization') quantum correction to the conductivity to saturate at T=0. Our calculation, which is intended to be illustrative rather than complete, uses a model in which an electron interacts with the fluctuations of the mean voltage in the sample. The average of the fluctuations produces the steady damping well known in Brownian motion, introduces a direction of time, ensures that arbitrarily long time-reversed electron paths lose phase coherence, and is consistent with the experimental observation of a finite low temperature phase-breaking lifetime.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Intrinsic Decoherence in Mesoscopic Systems will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-503922