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Pinsolle E, Houle S, Lupien C, Reulet B. Non-Gaussian Current Fluctuations in a Short Diffusive Conductor. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2018; 121:027702. [PMID: 30085754 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.121.027702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
We report the measurement of the third moment of current fluctuations in a short metallic wire at low temperature. The data are deduced from the statistics of voltage fluctuations across the conductor using a careful determination of environmental contributions. Our results at low bias agree very well with theoretical predictions for coherent transport with no fitting parameter. By increasing the bias voltage we explore the crossover from elastic to inelastic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edouard Pinsolle
- Institut Quantique, Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Samuel Houle
- Institut Quantique, Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Christian Lupien
- Institut Quantique, Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Bertrand Reulet
- Institut Quantique, Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec J1K 2R1, Canada
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Forgues JC, Lupien C, Reulet B. Emission of microwave photon pairs by a tunnel junction. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2014; 113:043602. [PMID: 25105619 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.113.043602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2014] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
We report the observation of photon pairs in the photoassisted shot noise of a tunnel junction in the quantum regime at very high frequency and very low temperature. We have measured the fluctuations of the noise power generated by the junction at two different frequencies, f(1) = 4.4 and f(2) = 7.2 GHz, while driving the junction with a microwave excitation of frequency f(0) = f(1) + f(2). We observe clear correlations between the fluctuations of the two noise powers even when the mean photon number per measurement is much smaller than one. This is strong evidence for photons being emitted in pairs. We also demonstrate that the electromagnetic field generated by the junction exhibits two-mode amplitude squeezing, a proof of its nonclassicality. The data agree very well with predictions based on the fourth cumulant of the current fluctuations generated by the junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jean-Charles Forgues
- Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Christian Lupien
- Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
| | - Bertrand Reulet
- Département de Physique, Université de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, Québec, Canada J1K 2R1
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Noise intensity-intensity correlations and the fourth cumulant of photo-assisted shot noise. Sci Rep 2013; 3:2869. [PMID: 24100407 PMCID: PMC3792424 DOI: 10.1038/srep02869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2013] [Accepted: 09/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the measurement of the fourth cumulant of current fluctuations in a tunnel junction under both dc and ac (microwave) excitation. This probes the non-Gaussian character of photo-assisted shot noise. Our measurement reveals the existence of correlations between noise power measured at two different frequencies, which corresponds to two-mode intensity correlations in optics. We observe positive correlations, i.e. photon bunching, which exist only for certain relations between the excitation frequency and the two detection frequencies, depending on the dc bias of the sample.
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Sukhorukov EV, Jordan AN. Achieving the threshold regime with an overscreened Josephson junction. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2009; 102:086806. [PMID: 19257771 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.102.086806] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2008] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
We demonstrate that by utilizing an overscreened Josephson junction as a noise detector it is possible to achieve the threshold regime, whereby the tails of the fluctuating current distribution are measured. This situation is realized by placing the Josephson junction and mesoscopic conductor in an external circuit with very low impedance. In the underdamped limit, overscreening the junction inhibits the energy diffusion in the junction, effectively creating a tunable activation barrier to the dissipative state. As a result, the activation rate is qualitatively different from the Arrhenius form.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V Sukhorukov
- Départment de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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Gershon G, Bomze Y, Sukhorukov EV, Reznikov M. Detection of non-Gaussian fluctuations in a quantum point contact. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2008; 101:016803. [PMID: 18764138 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.101.016803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2007] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
An experimental study of current fluctuations through a tunable transmission barrier, a quantum point contact, is reported. We measure the probability distribution function of transmitted charge with precision sufficient to extract the first three cumulants. To obtain the intrinsic quantities, corresponding to voltage-biased barrier, we employ a procedure that accounts for the response of the external circuit and the amplifier. The third cumulant, obtained with a high precision, is found to agree with the prediction for the statistics of transport in the non-Poissonian regime.
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Affiliation(s)
- G Gershon
- Department of Physics and Solid State Institute, Technion-IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
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Gabelli J, Reulet B. Dynamics of quantum noise in a tunnel junction under ac excitation. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2008; 100:026601. [PMID: 18232900 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.100.026601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We report the first measurement of the dynamical response of shot noise (measured at frequency omega) of a tunnel junction to an ac excitation at frequency omega0. The experiment is performed in the quantum regime, variant Planck's over 2piomega approximately variant Planck's over 2piomega0>>kBT at very low temperature T=35 mK and high frequency omega0/2pi=6.2 GHz. We observe that the noise responds in phase with the excitation, but not adiabatically. The results are in very good agreement with a prediction based on a new current-current correlator.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Gabelli
- Laboratoire de Physique des Solides, UMR8502, bâtiment 510, Université Paris-Sud, 91405 ORSAY Cedex, France
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Zazunov A, Creux M, Paladino E, Crépieux A, Martin T. Detection of finite-frequency current moments with a dissipative resonant circuit. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2007; 99:066601. [PMID: 17930846 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.99.066601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2007] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
We consider the measurement of higher current moments with a dissipative resonant circuit, which is coupled inductively to a mesoscopic device in the coherent regime. Information about the higher current moments is coded in the histograms of the charge on the capacitor plates of the resonant circuit. The role of dissipation is shown to be essential for the measured noise to remain finite. We also identify which combination of current correlators enters the measurement of the third moment. The results are illustrated for a quantum point contact.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Zazunov
- Centre de Physique Théorique, Université de la Méditerranée, Case 907, 13288 Marseille, France
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Sukhorukov EV, Jordan AN. Stochastic dynamics of a Josephson junction threshold detector. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2007; 98:136803. [PMID: 17501228 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.136803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2006] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
We generalize the stochastic path integral formalism by considering Hamiltonian dynamics in the presence of general Markovian noise. Kramers' solution of the activation rate for escape over a barrier is generalized for non-Gaussian driving noise in both the overdamped and underdamped limit. We apply our general results to a Josephson junction detector measuring the electron counting statistics of a mesoscopic conductor. The activation rate dependence on the third current cumulant includes an additional term originating from the backaction of the measurement circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugene V Sukhorukov
- Départment de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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Sonin EB. Superconductor-metal transition in an ultrasmall Josephson junction biased by a noisy voltage source. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2007; 98:030601. [PMID: 17358672 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.98.030601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2006] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Shot noise in a voltage source changes the character of the quantum (dissipative) phase transition in an ultrasmall Josephson junction: The superconductor-insulator transition transforms into the superconductor-metal transition. In the metallic phase, the IV curve probes the voltage distribution generated by shot noise, whereas in the superconducting phase, it probes the counting statistics of electrons traversing the noise junction.
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Affiliation(s)
- E B Sonin
- Racah Institute of Physics, Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Jerusalem 91904, Israel
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Abstract
A bidirectional single-electron counting device is demonstrated. Individual electrons flowing in forward and reverse directions through a double quantum dot are detected with a quantum point contact acting as a charge sensor. A comprehensive statistical analysis in the frequency and time domains and of higher order moments of noise reveals antibunching correlation in single-electron transport through the device itself. The device can also be used to investigate current flow in the attoampere range, which cannot be measured by existing current meters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshimasa Fujisawa
- NTT Basic Research Laboratories, NTT Corporation, 3-1 Morinosato-Wakamiya, Atsugi 243-0198, Japan.
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Bomze Y, Gershon G, Shovkun D, Levitov LS, Reznikov M. Measurement of counting statistics of electron transport in a tunnel junction. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 95:176601. [PMID: 16383849 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.176601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2005] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
We present measurements of the time-dependent fluctuations of electrical current in a voltage-biased tunnel junction. We were able to simultaneously extract the first three moments of the current counting statistics. Detailed comparison of the second and the third moments reveals that the statistics is accurately described as Poissonian, expected for spontaneous current fluctuations due to electron charge discreteness, realized in tunneling transport at negligible coupling to environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Bomze
- Department of Physics and Solid State Institute, Technion-IIT, Haifa 32000, Israel
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Reulet B, Prober DE. Noise thermal impedance of a diffusive wire. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 95:066602. [PMID: 16090969 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.95.066602] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2005] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The current noise density S2 of a conductor in equilibrium, the Johnson noise, is determined by its temperature T: S2 = 4k(B)TG, with G the conductance. The sample's noise temperature T(N) = S2/(4k(B)G) generalizes T for a system out of equilibrium. We introduce the "noise thermal impedance" of a sample as the ratio deltaT(N)omega/deltaP(J)omega of the amplitude deltaT(N)omega of the oscillation of T(N) when heated by an oscillating power deltaP(J)omega at frequency omega. For a macroscopic sample, it is the usual thermal impedance. We show for a diffusive wire how this (complex) frequency-dependent quantity gives access to the electron-phonon interaction time in a long wire and to the diffusion time in a shorter one, and how its real part may also give access to the electron-electron inelastic time. These times are not simply accessible from the frequency dependence of S2 itself.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Reulet
- Department of Applied Physics, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06520-8284, USA
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Kindermann M, Trauzettel B. Current fluctuations in an interacting quantum dot. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2005; 94:166803. [PMID: 15904259 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.94.166803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2004] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We calculate the counting statistics of electron transfer through an open quantum dot with charging interaction. A dot that is connected to leads by two single-channel quantum point contacts in an in-plane magnetic field is described by a Luttinger liquid with impurity at the Toulouse point. We find that the fluctuations of the current through this conductor exhibit distinctive interaction effects. Fluctuations saturate at high voltages, while the mean current increases linearly with the bias voltage. All cumulants higher than the second one reach at large bias a temperature independent limit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Markus Kindermann
- Department of Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, USA
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Jordan AN, Sukhorukov EV. Transport statistics of bistable systems. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2004; 93:260604. [PMID: 15697964 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.93.260604] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We consider the transport statistics of classical bistable systems driven by noise. The stochastic path integral formalism is used to investigate the dynamics and distribution of transmitted charge. Switching rates between the two stable states are found from an instanton calculation, leading to an effective two-state system on a long time scale. In the bistable current range, the telegraph noise dominates the distribution, whose logarithm is found to be universally described by a tilted ellipse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew N Jordan
- Département de Physique Théorique, Université de Genève, CH-1211 Genève 4, Switzerland
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Heikkilä TT, Virtanen P, Johansson G, Wilhelm FK. Measuring non-Gaussian fluctuations through incoherent cooper-pair current. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2004; 93:247005. [PMID: 15697852 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.93.247005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2004] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We study a Josephson junction (JJ) in the regime of incoherent Cooper-pair tunneling, capacitively coupled to a nonequilibrium noise source. The current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of the JJ are sensitive to the excess voltage fluctuations in the source, and can thus be used for wideband noise detection. Under weak driving, the odd part of the I-V can be related to the second cumulant of noise, whereas the even part is due to the third cumulant. After calibration, one can measure the Fano factors for the noise source, and get information about the frequency dependence of the noise.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tero T Heikkilä
- Low Temperature Laboratory, P.O. Box 2200, FIN-02015 HUT, Finland.
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Nagaev KE, Pilgram S, Büttiker M. Frequency scales for current statistics of mesoscopic conductors. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2004; 92:176804. [PMID: 15169180 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.92.176804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We calculate the third cumulant of current in a chaotic cavity with contacts of arbitrary transparency as a function of frequency. Its frequency dependence drastically differs from that of the conventional noise. In addition to a dispersion at the inverse RC time characteristic of charge relaxation, it has a low-frequency dispersion at the inverse dwell time of electrons in the cavity. This effect is suppressed if both contacts have either large or small transparencies.
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Affiliation(s)
- K E Nagaev
- Institute of Radioengineering and Electronics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Mokhovaya ulica 11, 125009 Moscow, Russia
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Reulet B, Senzier J, Prober DE. Environmental effects in the third moment of voltage fluctuations in a tunnel junction. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2003; 91:196601. [PMID: 14611596 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.91.196601] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2003] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We present the first measurements of the third moment of the voltage fluctuations in a conductor. This technique can provide new and complementary information on the electronic transport in conducting systems. The measurement was performed on nonsuperconducting tunnel junctions as a function of voltage bias, for various temperatures and bandwidths up to 1 GHz. The data demonstrate the significant effect of the electromagnetic environment of the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- B Reulet
- Departments of Applied Physics and Physics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520-8284, USA
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Kindermann M, Nazarov YV, Beenakker CWJ. Distribution of voltage fluctuations in a current-biased conductor. PHYSICAL REVIEW LETTERS 2003; 90:246805. [PMID: 12857214 DOI: 10.1103/physrevlett.90.246805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2002] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
We calculate the fluctuating voltage V(t) over a conductor driven out of equilibrium by a current source. This is the dual of the shot noise problem of current fluctuations I(t) in a voltage-biased circuit. In the single-channel case the distribution of the accumulated phase Phi=(e/ variant Planck's over 2pi ) integral Vdt is the Pascal (or binomial waiting-time) distribution-distinct from the binomial distribution of transferred charge Q= integral Idt. The weak-coupling limit of a Poissonian P(Phi) is reached in the limit of a ballistic conductor, while in the tunneling limit P(Phi) has the chi-square form.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Kindermann
- Instituut-Lorentz, Universiteit Leiden, PO Box 9506, 2300 RA Leiden, The Netherlands
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