Ballistic Regime Research Articles

Spin Transport in Ferromagnet-InSb Nanowire Quantum Devices.

Signatures of Majorana zero modes (MZMs) have been observed in semiconductor nanowires (NWs) with a strong spin-orbital interaction (SOI) with proximity-induced superconductivity. Realizing topological superconductivity and MZMs in this platform requires eliminating spin degeneracy by applying a magnetic field. However, the field can adversely impact the induced superconductivity and places geometric restrictions on the device. These challenges could be circumvented by integrating magnetic elements with the NWs. Here, we report the first experimental investigation of spin transport across InSb NWs with ferromagnetic (FM) contacts. We observe signatures of spin polarization and spin-dependent transport in the quasi-one-dimensional ballistic regime. Moreover, we show that electrostatic gating tunes the observed magnetic signal and reveals a regime where the device acts as a spin filter. These results open an avenue toward developing MZM devices with spin degeneracy lifted locally without external fields. They could also enable spin-based devices that leverage spin-orbital states in quantum wires.

Critical supercurrent and φ0 state for probing a persistent spin helix

We theoretically study the profile of a supercurrent in two-dimensional Josephson junctions with Rashba-Dresselhaus spin-orbit interaction (RDSOI) in the presence of a Zeeman field. Through investigating self-biased supercurrent (so called $\varphi_0$-Josephson state), we obtain explicit expressions for the functionality of the $\varphi_0$ state with respect to RDSOI parameters ($\alpha,\beta$) and in-plane Zeeman field components ($h_x,h_y$). Our findings reveal that, when the chemical potential ($\mu$) is high enough compared to the energy gap ($\Delta$) in superconducting electrodes, i.e., $\mu \gg \Delta$, RSOI and DSOI with equal strengths ($|\alpha|=|\beta|$) cause vanishing $\varphi_0$ state independent of magnetization and the type of RDSOI. A Zeeman field with unequal components, i.e., $|h_x|\neq |h_y|$, however, can counteract and nullify the destructive impact of equal-strength RDSOIs (for one type only), where $\mu\sim\Delta$, although $|h_x|= |h_y|$ can still eliminate the $\varphi_0$ state. Remarkably, in the $\mu\sim\Delta$ limit, the $\varphi_0$ state is proportional to the multiplication of both components of an in-plane Zeeman field, i.e., $h_xh_y$, which is absent in the $\mu \gg \Delta$ limit. Furthermore, our results of critical supercurrents demonstrate that the persistent spin helices can be revealed in a high enough chemical potential regime $\mu\gg \Delta$, while an opposite regime, i.e., $\mu\sim\Delta$, introduces an adverse effect. In the ballistic regime, the "maximum" of the critical supercurrent occurs at $|\alpha|=|\beta|$ and the Zeeman field can boost this feature. The presence of disorder and nonmagnetic impurities change this picture drastically so the "minimum" of the critical supercurrent occurs at and around the symmetry lines $|\alpha|=|\beta|$.

Encounter rates between bacteria and small sinking particles

The ecological interaction between bacteria and sinking particles, such as bacterial degradation of marine snow particles, is regulated by their encounters. Current encounter models focus on the diffusive regime, valid for particles larger than the bacterial run length, yet the majority of marine snow particles are small, and the encounter process is then ballistic. Here, we analytically and numerically quantify the encounter rate between sinking particles and non-motile or motile micro-organisms in the ballistic regime, explicitly accounting for the hydrodynamic shear created by the particle and its coupling with micro-organism shape. We complement results with selected experiments on non-motile diatoms. The shape-shear coupling has a considerable effect on the encounter rate and encounter location through the mechanisms of hydrodynamic focusing and screening, whereby elongated micro-organisms preferentially orient normally to the particle surface downstream of the particle (focusing) and tangentially to the surface upstream of the particle (screening). Non-motile elongated micro-organisms are screened from sinking particles because shear aligns them tangentially to the particle surface, which reduces the encounter rate by a factor proportional to the square of the micro-organism aspect ratio. For motile elongated micro-organisms, hydrodynamic focusing increases the encounter rate when particle sinking speed is similar to micro-organism swimming speed, whereas for very quickly sinking particles hydrodynamic screening can reduce the encounter rate below that of non-motile micro-organisms. For natural ocean conditions, we connect the ballistic and diffusive limits and compute the encounter rate as a function of shape, motility and particle characteristics. Our results indicate that shear should be taken into account to predict the interactions between bacteria and sinking particles responsible for the large carbon flux in the ocean’s biological pump.

Readout of fluorescence functional signals through highly scattering tissue

Fluorescence is a powerful mean to probe information processing in the mammalian brain. However, neuronal tissues are highly heterogeneous and thus opaque to light. A wide set of non-invasive or invasive techniques for scattered light rejection, optical sectioning or localized excitation, have been developed, but non-invasive optical recording of activity through highly scattering layer beyond the ballistic regime is to date impossible. Here, we show that functional signals from fluorescent time-varying sources located below an highly scattering tissue can be retrieved efficiently, by exploiting matrix factorization algorithms to demix this information from low contrast fluorescence speckle patterns.

Spin-resolved electron transport in nanoscale heterojunctions. Theory and applications

The work represents the extended theoretical model of the electrical conductance in nanoscale magnetic point-like contacts. The developed approach describes diffusive, quasi-ballistic, ballistic and quantum regimes of the spin-resolved conductance that is important for further development of the contact Andreev reflection spectroscopy, heterojunction models, scanning tunnel microscopy techniques. As a benefit, the model provides a unified description of the contact resistance from Maxwell diffusive through the ballistic to purely quantum transport regimes without residual terms. The model of the point contact assumes that the contact area can be replaced by a complicated object (i.e. the tunnel barrier or complicated one with nanoparticles, narrow domain wall, etc.), where the potential energy profile determines its electrical properties. The model can be easily adapted to particular contact materials, its physical properties and species of the contact area.

Damage mechanics and energy absorption capabilities of natural fiber reinforced elastomeric based bio composite for sacrificial structural applications

The present study deals with the experimental, finite element (FE) and analytical assessment of low ballistic impact response of proposed flexible ‘green’ composite make use of naturally available jute and rubber as the constituents of the composite with stacking sequences namely jute/rubber/jute (JRJ), jute/rubber/rubber/jute (JRRJ) and jute/rubber/jute/rubber/jute (JRJRJ). Ballistic impact tests were carried out by firing a conical projectile using a gas gun apparatus at lower range of ballistic impact regime. The ballistic impact response of the proposed flexible composites are assesses based on energy absorption and damage mechanism. Results revealed that inclusion of natural rubber aids in better energy absorption and mitigating the failure of the proposed composite. Among the three different stacking sequences of flexible composites considered, JRJRJ provides better ballistic performance compared to its counterparts. The damage study reveals that the main mechanism of failure involved in flexible composites is matrix tearing as opposed to matrix cracking in stiff composites indicating that the proposed flexible composites are free from catastrophic failure. Results obtained from experimental, FE and analytical approach pertaining to energy absorption and damage mechanism agree well with each other. The proposed flexible composites due to their exhibited energy absorption capabilities and damage mechanism are best suited as claddings for structural application subjected to impact with an aim of protecting the main structural component from being failed catastrophically.

Switchable crossed spin conductance in a graphene-based junction: The role of spin-orbit coupling

We theoretically investigate the crossed spin conductance (CSC) of a graphene-based heterostructure consists of ferromagnet, Rashba spin-orbit and superconductor regions. Using Dirac Bogoliubov-de Gennes formalism in the ballistic regime, we show that in the presence of Rashba spin-orbit coupling there are an anomalous crossed Andreev reection and spin-ipped co-tunneling in the process of quantum transport. We demonstrate that the CSC can be reversed with respect to charge conductance by tuning the Rashba spin-orbit coupling which experimentally can be adjusted by the applied perpendicular electric field on the graphene sheet. This feature in addition to a long spin relaxation time of Dirac fermions in graphene proposes designing a device with a non-local spin switch which is crucial for spintronics circuits.

Unveiling the Different Physical Origins of Magnetic Anisotropy and Magnetoelasticity in Ga-Rich FeGa Thin Films

The aim of this work is to clarify how in-plane magnetic anisotropy and magnetoelasticity depend on the thickness of Ga-rich FeGa layers. Samples with an Fe72Ga28 composition were grown by sputtering in the ballistic regime in oblique incidence. Although for these growth conditions uniaxial magnetic anisotropy could be expected, in-plane anisotropy is only present when the sample thickness is above 100 nm. By means of differential X-ray absorption spectroscopy, we have determined the influence of both Ga pairs and tetragonal cell distortion on the evolution of the magnetic anisotropy with the increase of FeGa thickness. On the other hand, we have used the cantilever beam technique with capacitive detection to also determine the evolution of the magnetoelastic parameters with the thickness increase. In this case, experimental results can be understood considering the grain distribution. Therefore, the different physical origins for anisotropy and magnetoelasticity open up the possibility to independently tune these two characteristics in Ga-rich FeGa films.

Electron transport and electron density inside quasi-one-dimensional disordered conductors

We consider the problem of electron transport across a quasi-one-dimensional disordered multiply-scattering medium, and study the statistical properties of the electron density inside the system. In the physical setup that we contemplate, electrons of a given energy feed the disordered conductor from one end. The physical quantity that is mainly considered is the logarithm of the electron density, $\ln {\cal W}(x)$, since its statistical properties exhibit a self-averaging behavior. We also describe a {\em gedanken} experiment, as a possible setup to measure the electron density. We study analytically and through computer simulations the ballistic, diffusive and localized regimes. We generally find a good agreement between the two approaches. The extension of the techniques that were used in the past to find information outside the sample is done in terms of the scattering properties of the two segments that form the entire conductor on each side of the observation point. The problem is of interest in various other branches of physics, as electrodynamics and elasticity.

Evolution of pair correlation symmetries and supercurrent reversal in tilted Weyl semimetals

We study the effective symmetry profiles of superconducting pair correlations and the flow of charge supercurrent in ballistic Weyl semimetal systems with a tilted dispersion relation. Utilizing a microscopic method in the ballistic regime and starting from both opposite-pseudospin and equal-pseudospin phonon-mediated opposite-spin electron-electron couplings, we calculate the anomalous Green's function to study various superconducting pair correlations that Weyl semimetal systems may develop. The momentum-space profile reveals that by properly manipulating the parameters of Weyl semimetal systems, including the tilting parameter, the effective symmetry class of even-parity s-wave (odd-parity p-wave) superconducting correlations can be converted into a d-wave (f-wave) symmetry class that consists of equal-pseudospin and opposite-pseudospin channels. We also find that the supercurrent in a ballistic Weyl Josephson junction can be made to vanish or switch directions, depending on the tilt of the Weyl cones, in addition to the relevant parameters characterizing the Weyl semimetal and junction. We show that inversion symmetry breaking terms introduce transitions that result in the appearance of self-biased current at zero difference between the macroscopic phases of the superconducting segments, creating a phi0 Josephson state. Weyl semimetal systems are shown to offer several experimentally tunable parameters to control the induction of higher harmonics into the current phase relations.

Open Bose-Hubbard chain: Pseudoclassical approach.

We analyze the stationary current of bosonic carriers in the Bose-Hubbard chain of length L where the first and the last sites of the chain are attached to reservoirs of Bose particles acting as a particle source and sink, respectively. The analysis is carried out by using the pseudoclassical approach which reduces the original quantum problem to the classical problem for L coupled nonlinear oscillators. It is shown that an increase of oscillator nonlinearity (which is determined by the strength of interparticle interactions) results in a transition from the ballistic transport regime, where the stationary current is independent of the chain length, to the diffusive regime, where the current is inversely proportional to L.

Theoretical Analysis of Tunneling GNRFET under Local Compressive Uniaxial Strain

By applying %3 compressive local uniaxial strain on 2.5 nm of source and 2.5 nm of channel regions of tunneling graphene nanoribbon field-effect transistor (T-GNRFET), we propose a new local-strained source and channel (LSSC) T-GNRFET. Quantum simulations of the proposed structure have been done in mode-space non-equilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) approach in ballistic regime. Simulation results show that in comparison with the conventional T-GNRFET of the same dimensions, the ON-current of the proposed structure has been improved considerably. Besides, the proposed structure enjoys better analog characteristics such as transconductance (gm) and unity-gain frequency (ft).

Colloidal transport in bacteria suspensions: from bacteria collision to anomalous and enhanced diffusion.

Swimming microorganisms interact and alter the dynamics of Brownian particles and tend to modify their transport properties. In particular, dilute colloids coupled to a bath of swimming cells generically display enhanced diffusion on long time scales. This transport dynamics stems from a subtle interplay between the active and passive particles that still resists our understanding despite decades of intense research. Here, we tackle the root of the problem by providing a quantitative characterisation of the single scattering events between a colloid and a bacterium, a smooth running E. coli. Based on our experiments, we build a minimal model that quantitatively predicts the geometry of the scattering trajectories, and enhanced colloidal diffusion at long times. This quantitative confrontation between theory and experiments elucidates the microscopic origin of enhanced transport. Collisions are solely ruled by stochastic contact interactions and the ratio of the drag coefficients of the colloid and the bacteria. Such description accounts both for genuine anomalous diffusion at short times and enhanced diffusion at long times with no ballistic regime at any scale.

The speed of a biased random walk on a Galton-Watson tree is analytic

We prove that the speed of a biased random walk on a supercritical Galton-Watson tree conditioned to survive is analytic within the ballistic regime. This extends the previous work [12] in which it was shown that the speed is differentiable within the range of bias for which a central limit theorem holds.

Piezoresistance in ballistic graphene

We investigate the longitudinal and transverse piezoresistance effect in suspended graphene in the ballistic regime. Utilizing parametrized tight binding Hamiltonian from ab initio calculations along with Landauer quantum transport formalism, we devise a methodology to evaluate the piezoresistance effect in 2D materials especially in graphene. We evaluate the longitudinal and transverse gauge factor of graphene along armchair and zigzag directions in the linear elastic limit ($0\%$-$10\%$). The longitudinal and transverse gauge factors are identical along armchair and zigzag directions. Our model predicts a significant variation ($\approx 1000\% $ change) in transverse gauge factor compared to longitudinal gauge factor along with sign inversion. The calculated value of longitudinal gauge factor is $\approx 0.3$ whereas the transverse gauge factor is $\approx -3.3$. We rationalize our prediction using deformation of Dirac cone and change in separation between transverse modes due to longitudinal and transverse strain, leading to an inverse change in gauge factor. The results obtained herein may serve as a template for high strain piezoresistance effect of graphene in nano electromechanical systems.

Solute transport in porous media studied by lattice Boltzmann simulations at pore scale and x-ray tomography experiments.

With the aid of nondestructive microfocus x-ray computed tomography (CT), we performed three-dimensional (3D) tracer dispersion experiments on randomly unconsolidated packed beds. Plumes of nonreactive sodium iodide solution were point injected into a sodium chloride solvent as a tracer for the evaluation of the dispersion process. The asymptotic dispersion coefficient was obtainable within the experimental scale and was summarized over Péclet numbers from 11.7 to ∼860. Then, the lattice Boltzmann method and moment propagation method were used to elucidate the mechanisms embedded in the dispersion phenomenon. The methods were rigorously verified against the classical Taylor dispersion problem and extended to simulate fluid flow and tracer dispersion in high-resolution 3D digital porous structures from CT. The method of moments, Lagrangian velocity correction function, and dilution index were thoroughly analyzed to evaluate the dispersion behaviors. Numerical simulations revealed ballistic and superdiffusive regimes at the transient times, whereas asymptotic dispersion behaviors appear at longer characteristic times. Besides, the observed transient times unanimously persist over convective length scales of around 12 particles transversely and 16 particles longitudinally. The estimated dispersion coefficients from simulation are in consistence with the experimental result. Furthermore, the simulation also enabled the identification of regimes, including diffusive, power law, and mechanical dispersion. Thus, the proposed experimental and computational schemes are of practical means to study dispersion behaviors by direct pore scale imaging and modeling.

Ballistic and hydrodynamic magnetotransport in narrow channels

An increasing number of low carrier density materials exhibit a surprisingly large transport mean-free path due to inefficient momentum relaxation. Consequently, charge transport in these systems is markedly non-Ohmic but rather ballistic or hydrodynamic, features which can be explored by driving current through narrow channels. Using a kinetic equation approach, we theoretically investigate how a nonquantizing magnetic field discerns ballistic and hydrodynamic transport, in particular in the spatial dependence of the transverse electric field ${E}_{y}$: we find that ${E}_{y}$ is locally enhanced when the flow exhibits a sharp directional anisotropy in the nonequilibrium density. As a consequence, at weak magnetic fields, the curvature of ${E}_{y}$ has opposite signs in the ballistic and hydrodynamic regimes. Moreover, we find a robust signature of the onset of nonlocal correlations in the form of distinctive peaks of the transverse field, which are accessible by local measurements. Our results demonstrate that a purely hydrodynamic approach is insufficient in the Gurzhi regime once a magnetic field is introduced.

Gate length dependent transport properties of in-plane core-shell nanowires with raised contacts

Three-dimensional (3D) nanoscale crystal shaping has become essential for the precise design of advanced electronic and quantum devices based on electrically gated transport. In this context, III-V semiconductor-based nanowires with low electron effective mass and strong spin-orbit coupling are particularly investigated because of their exceptional quantum transport properties and the good electrostatic control they provide. Among the main challenges involved in the processing of these nanodevices are (i) the management of the gate stack which requires ex-situ passivation treatment to reduce the density of traps at the oxide/semiconductor interface, (ii) the ability to get good ohmic contacts for source and drain electrodes and (iii) the scalability and reliability of the process for the fabrication of complex architectures based on nanowire networks. In this paper, we show that selective area molecular beam epitaxy of in-plane InGaAs/InP core-shell nanowires with raised heavily doped source and drain contacts can address these different issues. Electrical characterization of the devices down to 4 K reveals the positive impact of the InP shell on the gate electrostatic control and effective electron mobility. Although comparable to the best reported values for In(Ga)As nanostructures grown on InP, this latter is severely reduced for sub-100 nm channel highlighting remaining issue to reach the ballistic regime.

Influence of thermostatting on nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations of heat conduction in solids.

Nonequilibrium molecular dynamics (NEMD) has been extensively used to study thermal transport at various length scales in many materials. In this method, two local thermostats at different temperatures are used to generate a nonequilibrium steady state with a constant heat flux. Conventionally, the thermal conductivity of a finite system is calculated as the ratio between the heat flux and the temperature gradient extracted from the linear part of the temperature profile away from the local thermostats. Here, we show that, with a proper choice of the thermostat, the nonlinear part of the temperature profile should actually not be excluded in thermal transport calculations. We compare NEMD results against those from the atomistic Green's function method in the ballistic regime and those from the homogeneous nonequilibrium molecular dynamics method in the ballistic-to-diffusive regime. These comparisons suggest that in all the transport regimes, one should directly calculate the thermal conductance from the temperature difference between the heat source and sink and, if needed, convert it into the thermal conductivity by multiplying it with the system length. Furthermore, we find that the Langevin thermostat outperforms the Nosé-Hoover (chain) thermostat in NEMD simulations because of its stochastic and local nature. We show that this is particularly important for studying asymmetric carbon-based nanostructures, for which the Nosé-Hoover thermostat can produce artifacts leading to unphysical thermal rectification.

Emission of plasmons by drifting Dirac electrons: A hallmark of hydrodynamic transport

Direct current in clean semiconductors and metals was recently shown to obey the laws of hydrodynamics in a broad range of temperatures and sample dimensions. However, the determination of frequency window for hydrodynamic phenomena remains challenging. Here, we reveal a phenomenon being a hallmark of high-frequency hydrodynamic transport, the Cerenkov emission of plasmons by drifting Dirac electrons. The effect appears in hydrodynamic regime only due to reduction of plasmon velocity by electron-electron collisions below the velocity of carrier drift. To characterize the Cerenkov effect quantitatively, we analytically find the high-frequency non-local conductivity of drifting Dirac electrons across the hydrodynamic-to-ballistic crossover. We find the growth rates of hydrodynamic plasmon instabilities in two experimentally relevant setups: parallel graphene layers and graphene covered by subwavelength grating, further showing their absence in ballistic regime. We argue that the possibility of Cerenkov emission is linked to singular structure of non-local conductivity of Dirac materials and is independent on specific dielectric environment.