Characterisation of spin-incoherent transport in one dimension

Abstract

Spin-incoherent transport in quantum wires, whereby exchange coupling between neighbouring electrons is overcome by thermal energy, leading to the suppression of spin modes of transport expected in a Luttinger liquid, has been observed in the form of a conductance plateau at e2 /h in the absence of a magnetic field. We present here further characterisation of this spin-incoherent plateau in a source-drain bias, which causes it to evolves to 0.85 x 2e2/h. Laterally shifting the channel and illuminating the sample allows us to verify its origin. © 2009 IOP Publishing Ltd.