Phase transition in small metallic junctions with quasiparticle dissipation.

Abstract

The results of Monte Carlo simulations of a mesoscopic tunnel junction at T=0 are reported, showing some evidence of a dissipative phase transition. In the strong dissipation regime the predictions of the self consistent spin wave theory turn out to be correct and the algebraic decay of correlations leads to quasi-long range order (absence of a voltage threshold for the Coulomb blockade). We estimated the critical junction resistance to be Rt≈0.53 kΩ.