English

Quantum dot coupled to topological insulators: The role of edge states

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics 2022-03-18 v2

Abstract

We investigate a system consisting of one or two topological-insulator leads which are tunnel coupled to a single dot level. The leads are described by the one-dimensional Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model. We show that (topological) edge states cause characteristic features in the dot spectral function, the dot occupation, and the finite-bias current across the dot. As the kinetic energy is quenched in the dot region, local two-particle interactions are of particular relevance there. This motivates us to test whether the aforementioned edge-state features are robust against such interactions; we report here that they are either robust or even enhanced. We conclude that the characteristic features can be used to determine if the leads are in their topologically non-trivial or trivial phase.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.2112.11814,
  title  = {Quantum dot coupled to topological insulators: The role of edge states},
  author = {Martin T. Maurer and Yen-Ting Lin and Dante M. Kennes and Mikhail Pletyukhov and Herbert Schoeller and Volker Meden},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2112.11814},
  year   = {2022}
}

Comments

13 pages, 8 figures