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Search indexed NASA NTRS and DOE OSTI research on propulsion, heat transfer, battery materials and energy systems. Follow report and document links to the original sources.

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At least 19 records
All sourcesNASA NTRSDOE OSTI
DOE OSTI2025

Dominant end-tunneling effect in two distinct Luttinger liquids coexisting in one quantum wire

Luttinger liquids occupy a notable place in physics as one of the most understood classes of quantum many-body systems. The experimental mission of measuring its main prediction, power laws in observable quantities, has already produced a body of exponents in different semiconductor and metallic structures. Here, we combine tunneling spectroscopy with density-dependent transport measurements in the same quantum wires over more than two orders of magnitude in temperature to very low electron temperatures down to ∼40 mK. This reveals that, when the second 1D subband becomes populated, the temperature dependence splits into two ranges with different exponents in the power-law dependence of the conductance, both dominated by the finite-size effect of the end-tunneling process. This result demonstrates the importance of measuring the Luttinger parameters as well as the number of modes independently through spectroscopy in addition to the transport exponent in the characterization of Luttinger liquids. This opens a pathway to unambiguous interpretation of the exponents observed in quantum wires.

75 CONDENSED MATTER PHYSICS, SUPERCONDUCTIVITY AND↗
NASA NTRS1990

Efficient numerical simulation of electron states in quantum wires

A new algorithm is presented for the numerical simulation of electrons in a quantum wire as described by a two-dimensional eigenvalue problem for Schroedinger's equation coupled with Poisson's equation. Initially, the algorithm employs an underrelaxed fixed point iteration to generate an approximation which is reasonably close to the solution. Subsequently, this approximate solution is employed as an initial guess for a Jacobian-free implementation of an approximate Newton method. In this manner the nonlinearity in the model is dealt with effectively. The effectiveness of this approach is demonstrated in a set of numerical experiments which study the electron states on the cross section of a quantum wire structure based on III-V semiconductors at 4.2 and 77 K.

Kerkhoven, Thomas↗
NASA NTRS2001

NATO Advanced Study Institute on Spectroscopy

This booklet presents an account of the course 'Spectroscopy of Systems with Spatially Confined Structures' held in Erice-Sicily, Italy, from June 15 to June 30, 2001. This meeting was organized by the International School of Atomic and Molecular Spectroscopy of the 'Ettore Majorana' Centre for Scientific Culture. The purpose of this course was to present and discuss nanometer-scale physics, a rapidly progressing field. The top-down approach of semiconductor technology will soon meet the scales of the bottom-up approaches of supramolecular chemistry and of spatially localized excitations in ionic crystals. This course dealt with the fabrication, measurement and understanding of the relevant structures and brought together the scientific communities responsible for these development. The advances in this area of physics have already let to applications in optoelectronics and will likely lead to many more. The subjects of the course included spatially resolved structures such as quantum wells, quantum wires and quantum dots, single atoms and molecules, clusters, fractal systems, and the development of related techniques like near-field spectroscopy and confocal microscopy to study such systems.

DiBartolo, Baldassare↗
DOE OSTI2025

Tunable reciprocal and nonreciprocal contributions to 1D Coulomb drag

Coulomb drag is a powerful tool to study interactions in coupled low-dimensional systems. Historically, Coulomb drag has been attributed to a frictional force arising from momentum transfer whose direction is dictated by the current flow. In the absence of electron-electron correlations, treating the Coulomb drag circuit as a rectifier of noise fluctuations yields similar conclusions about the reciprocal nature of Coulomb drag. In contrast, recent findings in one-dimensional systems have identified a nonreciprocal contribution to Coulomb drag that is independent of the current flow direction. In this work, we present Coulomb drag measurements between vertically coupled GaAs/AlGaAs quantum wires separated vertically by a hard barrier only 15 nm wide, where both reciprocal and nonreciprocal contributions to the drag signal are observed simultaneously, and whose relative magnitudes are temperature and gate tunable. Our study opens up the possibility of studying the physical mechanisms behind the onset of both Coulomb drag contributions simultaneously in a single device, ultimately leading to a better understanding of Luttinger liquids in multi-channel wires and paving the way for the creation of energy harvesting devices.

Coulomb Drag↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quasi-1D Coulomb Drag in the Nonlinear Regime

One-dimensional Coulomb drag has been an essential tool to probe the physics of interacting Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids. To date, most experimental work has focused on the linear regime while the predictions for Luttinger liquids beyond the linear response theory remain largely untested. In this Letter, we report measurements of reciprocal momentum transfer induced Coulomb drag between vertically coupled quasi-one-dimensional quantum wires in the nonlinear regime. Measurements were performed at ultralow temperatures between wires only 15 nm apart. Our results reveal a nonlinear dependence of the drag voltage as a function of the drive current superimposed with an oscillatory contribution, in agreement with theoretical predictions for Coulomb drag between Tomonaga-Luttinger liquids. Additionally, the observed current-voltage characteristics exhibit a nonmonotonic temperature dependence, further corroborating the presence of non-Fermi-liquid behavior in our system. In conclusion, these findings are observed both in the single and in the multiple subband regimes and in the presence of disorder, extending the onset of this behavior beyond the clean single channel Tomonaga-Luttinger regime where the predictions were originally formulated.

1-dimensional systems↗
NASA NTRS2001

Modeling Ballistic Current Flow in Carbon Nanotube Wires

Experiments have shown carbon nanotubes (CNT) to be almost perfect conductors at small applied biases. The features of the CNT band structure, large velocity of the crossing subbands and the small number of modes that an electron close to the band center / Fermi energy can scatter into, are the reasons for the near perfect small bias conductance. We show that the CNT band structure does not help at large applied biases - electrons injected into the non crossing subbands can either be Bragg reflected or undergo Zener-type tunneling. This limits the current carrying capacity of CNT. We point out that the current carrying capacity of semiconductor quantum wires in the ballistic limit is different, owing to its band structure. The second aspect addressed is the relationship of nanotube chirality in determining the physics of metal-nanotube coupling. We show that a metallic-zigzag nanotube couples better than an armchair nanotube to a metal contact. This arises because in the case of armchair nanotubes, while the pi band couples well, the pi* band does not couple well to the metal. In the case of zigzag nanotube both crossing modes couple reasonably well to the metal. Many factors such as the role of curvature, strain and defects will play a role in determining the suitability of nanotubes as nanowires. From the limited view point of metal-nanotube coupling, we feel that metallic-zigzag nanotubes are preferable to armchair nanotubes.

Anantram, M. P.↗
NASA NTRS1991

Growing Cobalt Silicide Columns In Silicon

Codeposition by molecular-beam epitaxy yields variety of structures. Proposed fabrication process produces three-dimensional nanometer-sized structures on silicon wafers. Enables control of dimensions of metal and semiconductor epitaxial layers in three dimensions instead of usual single dimension (perpendicular to the plane of the substrate). Process used to make arrays of highly efficient infrared sensors, high-speed transistors, and quantum wires. For fabrication of electronic devices, both shapes and locations of columns controlled. One possible technique for doing this electron-beam lithography, see "Making Submicron CoSi2 Structures on Silicon Substrates" (NPO-17736).

Fathauer, Obert W.↗
NASA NTRS1992

Photoluminescence structure, and composition of laterally anodized porous Si

We have studied the photoluminescence (PL), structure, and composition of laterally anodized porous Si. Broad PL peaks were observed centered between about 620-720 nm with strong intensities measured from 500 to 860 nm. Macroscopic variations in PL intensities and peak positions are explained in terms of the structure and anodization process. Structural studies suggest that the PL appears to originate from a multilayered porous Si structure in which the top two layers are amorphous. X-ray diffraction spectra also suggest the presence of a significant amorphous phase. In addition to high concentrations of B and N, we have measured extremely high concentrations much greater than 10 exp 20 cu cm of H, C, O, and F. Our results indicate that laterally anodized porous Si does not fit the crystalline Si quantum wire model prevalent in the literature suggesting that some other structure is responsible for the observed luminescence.

Jung, K. H.↗
NASA NTRS1999

Virtual Prototyping for Carbon Nanotubes and Their Compositions

Carbon nanotubes (CNT) are of interest as constituents-reinforcements for composites, probes for scanning microscopy, quantum wires for electronics, and building blocks for nanomachinery. Their small size makes direct experimental measurements difficult. Therefore, the critical answers about their properties should be obtained based on adequate modeling, virtual prototyping, using the methods of classical molecular dynamic (MD), in combination with the analytical methods and continuum mechanics.

Yakobson, Boris I.↗
NASA NTRS1998

Exploring Carbon Nanotubes for Nanoscale Devices

Carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are shown to promise great opportunities in nanoelectronic devices and nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) because of their inherent nanoscale sizes, intrinsic electric conductivities, and seamless hexagonal network architectures. I present our collaborative work with Stanford on exploring CNTs for nanodevices in this talk. The electrical property measurements suggest that metallic tubes are quantum wires. Furthermore, two and three terminal CNT junctions have been observed experimentally. We have proposed and studied CNT-based molecular switches and logic devices for future digital electronics. We also have studied CNTs based NEMS inclusing gears, cantilevers, and scanning probe microscopy tips. We investigate both chemistry and physics based aspects of the CNT NEMS. Our results suggest that CNT have ideal stiffness, vibrational frequencies, Q-factors, geometry-dependent electric conductivities, and the highest chemical and mechanical stabilities for the NEMS. The use of CNT SPM tips for nanolithography is presented for demonstration of the advantages of the CNT NEMS.

Han, Jie↗
DOE OSTI2026

Design Rules for Open-Shell Molecular Wires: Insights from Correlated Many-Body Transport

Open-shell π-conjugated systems have emerged as promising molecular wires that can sustain unusually high low-bias conductance over tens of nanometers. However, predictive design rules remain limited because near-degeneracy and spin polarization give rise to correlated electronic states that are not reliably captured by standard density functional theory and Landauer transport descriptions. Here, we establish physically transparent design rules for long-range, weakly length-dependent charge transport based on the interplay between bond-length alternation and electron–electron interactions. Using a fully correlated transport framework that combines density matrix renormalization group calculations with nonequilibrium Green’s function embedding, we show that weak dimerization maintains spatially extended edge states, while moderate on-site interaction stabilizes open-shell character without excessively separating transport-relevant resonances. This balance yields zero-bias transmission that is largely insensitive to molecular length, providing a route to connect chemically tunable structure to correlated transport beyond mean-field descriptions.

Charge transport↗
DOE OSTI2025

Almost strong zero modes at finite temperature

Interacting fermionic chains exhibit extended regions of topological degeneracy of their ground states as a result of the presence of Majorana or parafermionic zero modes localized at the edges. In the opposite limit of infinite temperature, the corresponding nonintegrable spin chains, obtained via generalized Jordan-Wigner mapping, are known to host so-called almost strong zero modes, which are long-lived with respect to any bulk excitations. Here we study the fairly unexplored territory that bridges these two extreme cases of zero and infinite temperature. We blend two established techniques for states, the Lanczos series expansion and a tensor network ansatz, uplifting them to the level of operator algebra. This allows us to efficiently simulate large system sizes for arbitrarily long timescales and to extract the temperature-dependent decay rates. We observe that for the Kitaev-Hubbard model, the decay rate of the edge mode depends exponentially on the inverse temperature 𝛽, and on an effective energy scale Δ eff that is greater than the thermodynamic gap of the system Δ.

71 CLASSICAL AND QUANTUM MECHANICS, GENERAL PHYSIC↗
DOE OSTI2025

Quantum confining excitons with an electrostatic moiré superlattice

Quantum confining excitons has been a persistent challenge in the pursuit of strong exciton interactions and quantum light generation. Unlike electrons, which can be readily controlled via electric fields, imposing strong nanoscale potentials on excitons to enable quantum confinement has proven challenging. In this study, we utilize piezoelectric force microscopy to image the domain structures of twisted hexagonal boron nitride (h – BN), revealing evidence of strong in-plane electric fields at the domain boundaries. By placing a monolayer MoSe 2 only one to two nanometers away from the twisted h – BN interface, we observe energy splitting of neutral excitons and Fermi polarons by several millielectronvolts at the moiré domain boundaries. By directly correlating local structural and optical properties, we attribute such observations to excitons confined in a nanoscale one-dimensional electrostatic potential created by the strong in-plane electric fields at the moiré domain boundaries. Intriguingly, this 1D quantum confinement results in pronounced polarization anisotropy in the excitons’ reflection and emission, persistent to temperatures as high as ~80 Kelvins. Furthermore, these findings open new avenues for exploring and controlling strongly interacting excitons for classical and quantum optoelectronics.

2-dimensional systems↗
NASA NTRS1995

Metal colloids and semiconductor quantum dots: Linear and nonlinear optical properties

One aspect of this project involves a collaborative effort with the Solid State Division of ORNL. The thrust behind this research is to develop ion implantion for synthesizing novel materials (quantum dots wires and wells, and metal colloids) for applications in all optical switching devices, up conversion, and the synthesis of novel refractory materials. In general the host material is typically a glass such as optical grade silica. The ions of interest are Au, Ag, Cd, Se, In, P, Sb, Ga and As. An emphasis is placed on host guest interactions between the matrix and the implanted ion and how the matrix effects and implantation parameters can be used to obtain designer level optical devices tailored for specific applications. The specific materials of interest are: CdSe, CdTe, InAs, GaAs, InP, GaP, InSb, GaSb and InGaAs. A second aspect of this research program involves using porous glass (25-200 A) for fabricating materials of finite size. In this part of the program, we are particularly interested in characterizing the thermodynamic and optical properties of these non-composite materials. We also address how phase diagram of the confined material is altered by the interfacial properties between the confined material and the pore wall.

Henderson, D. O.↗
NASA NTRS1996

Momentum Transfer Studies and Studies of Linear and Nonlinear Optical Properties of Metal Colloids and Semiconductor Quantum Dots

Phase 1 of this work involved design work on a momentum transfer device. The progress on design and testing will be presented. Phase 2 involved the systematic study of the MPD thruster for dual uses. Though it was designed as a thruster for space vehicles, the characteristics of the plasma make it an excellent candidate for industrial applications. This project sought to characterize the system for use in materials processing and characterization. The surface modification on ZnCdTe, CdTe, and ZnTe will be presented. Phase 3 involved metal colloids and semiconductor quantum dots. One aspect of this project involves a collaborative effort with the Solid State Division of ORNL. The thrust behind this research is to develop ion implantation for synthesizing novel materials (quantum dots wires and wells, and metal colloids) for applications in all optical switching devices, up conversion, and the synthesis of novel refractory materials. The ions of interest are Au, Ag, Cd, Se, In, P, Sb, Ga, and As. The specific materials of interest are: CdSe, CdTe, InAs, GaAs, InP, GaP, InSb, GaSb, and InGaAs. A second aspect of this research program involves using porous glass (25-200 A) for fabricating materials of finite size. The results of some of this work will also be reported.

Collins, W. E.↗
NASA NTRS1976

High-resolution imaging X-ray detector

The paper describes an X-ray detector using microchannel plates as a photocathode surface and imaging photoelectron multiplier, and a crossed wire grid as a two-dimensional position-sensitive detector. The position resolution is 10 microns. The crossed wire grid consists of 100-micron-diam wires on 200-micron centers. Position sensing is accomplished by electronic interpolation to 1/20 of the wire spacing. The quantum efficiency of the microchannel plates varies from 29% at 0.28 keV to 5% at 3 keV. This detector will provide second-of-arc X-ray imaging in the focal plane of the 342.9-cm focal length grazing-incidence telescope being prepared for the HEAO-B observatory. By addition of suitable photocathodes, it can be used for single-photon imaging light detection in the UV, visible, and near-IR-ranges. In all cases, it gives a very low dark counting rate, allows timing of individual events to 1 microsec or less, and can handle counting rates up to 10,000 per sec.

Kellogg, E.↗
NASA NTRS1989

Making Submicron CoSi2 Structures On Silicon Substrates

Experimetnal fabrication process makes submicron-sized structures of single-crystal metallic CoSi2 on silicon substrates. Amorphous Co:Si(1:2) crystallized by electron beam becoming single-crystal CoSi2. Remaining amorphous Co:Si then preferentially etched away. When fully developed, process used to make fine wires or dots exhibiting quantum confinement of charge carriers.

Nieh, Simon K. W.↗
DOE OSTI2025

An on-chip phased array for non-classical light

Abstract Quantum science and technology can offer fundamental enhancements in sensing, communications and computing. The expansion from wired to wireless links is an exciting prospect for quantum technologies. For classical technologies, the advent of phased arrays enabled directional and adaptive wireless links by manipulating electromagnetic waves over free space. Here we demonstrate a phased array system on a chip that can receive, image and manipulate non-classical light over free space. We use an integrated photonic-electronic system with more than 1000 functional components on-chip to detect squeezed light. By integrating an array of 32 sub-wavelength engineered metamaterial antennas, we demonstrate a direct free-space-to-chip interface for reconfigurable quantum links. On the same chip, we implement a large-scale array of quantum-limited coherent receivers that can resolve non-classical signals simultaneously across 32 channels. With coherent readout and manipulation of these signals, we demonstrate 32-pixel imaging and spatially configurable reception of squeezed light over free space. Our work advances wireless quantum technologies that could enable practical applications in quantum communications and sensing.

Science & Technology - Other Topics↗