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Quantum phase transition in a single-molecule quantum dot
- Source :
- Nature, Nature, Nature Publishing Group, 2008, 453, pp.633-637. ⟨10.1038/NATURE06930⟩
- Publication Year :
- 2008
- Publisher :
- Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2008.
-
Abstract
- Quantum criticality is the intriguing possibility offered by the laws of quantum mechanics when the wave function of a many-particle physical system is forced to evolve continuously between two distinct, competing ground states. This phenomenon, often related to a zero-temperature magnetic phase transition, can be observed in several strongly correlated materials such as heavy fermion compounds or possibly high-temperature superconductors, and is believed to govern many of their fascinating, yet still unexplained properties. In contrast to these bulk materials with very complex electronic structure, artificial nanoscale devices could offer a new and simpler vista to the comprehension of quantum phase transitions. This long-sought possibility is demonstrated by our work in a fullerene molecular junction, where gate voltage induces a crossing of singlet and triplet spin states at zero magnetic field. Electronic tunneling from metallic contacts into the $\rm{C_{60}}$ quantum dot provides here the necessary many-body correlations to observe a true quantum critical behavior.<br />8 pages, 5 figures
- Subjects :
- Quantum phase transition
Physics
Multidisciplinary
Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics
Condensed matter physics
Quantum point contact
FOS: Physical sciences
02 engineering and technology
Quantum phases
Condensed Matter::Mesoscopic Systems and Quantum Hall Effect
021001 nanoscience & nanotechnology
Quantum number
01 natural sciences
Quantum dot
Quantum dot laser
Quantum mechanics
Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall)
0103 physical sciences
Kondo effect
010306 general physics
0210 nano-technology
Quantum dissipation
[PHYS.COND.CM-MSQHE]Physics [physics]/Condensed Matter [cond-mat]/Mesoscopic Systems and Quantum Hall Effect [cond-mat.mes-hall]
Subjects
Details
- ISSN :
- 14764687, 00280836, and 14764679
- Volume :
- 453
- Database :
- OpenAIRE
- Journal :
- Nature
- Accession number :
- edsair.doi.dedup.....d6501cebc20c1a0346b79f2165061148