Abstract
We non-perturbatively analyze the effect of electron–electron interactions on weak localization (WL) in relatively short metallic conductors with a tunnel barrier. We demonstrate that the main effect of interactions is electron dephasing which persists down to T=0 and yields suppression of WL correction to conductance below its non-interacting value. Our results may account for recent observations of low temperature saturation of the electron decoherence time in quantum dots.
Highlights
Electrons propagating in a disordered conductor get scattered and interfere
The interplay between scattering, quantum coherence and interactions yields a rich variety of non-trivial effects and significantly impacts electron transport in disordered conductors
The so-called weak localization (WL) correction to the conductance of a disordered system GW L is most sensitive to electron coherence and is known to arise from interference of pairs of time-reversed electron paths [1]
Summary
Electrons propagating in a disordered conductor get scattered and interfere. This quantum interference is possible only as long as the electron wave functions remain coherent. The interplay between scattering, quantum coherence and interactions yields a rich variety of non-trivial effects and significantly impacts electron transport in disordered conductors. The effect of electron-electron interactions can be described in terms of fluctuating voltages.
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