New theoretical methods for Full Counting Statistics and noise spectra in nano-scale electronic systems with long memories

• Applicant: Professor Dr. Tobias Brandes (†)
• Subject Area: Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics
• Term: from 2007 to 2011
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 37945977

With technology advancing towards the nanoscale level, the understanding of dynamical properties of small conductors becomes progressively important. The understanding and the control of quantum properties in nanoscale systems is one of the major keys for the design of new electronic devices, for example in nanoelectronics, nanophotonics, and quantum communication. Dynamical fluctuations of the electric current around its average - full counting statistics (FCS) and noise spectra - have been recognized as a potential tool for fully assessing quantum mechanical properties of electronic systems. There are, however, major open and unsolved issues which we plan to attack within this project: 1. Fundamental questions concerning the very definition of FCS in quantum systems and its relation to the quantum measurement. 2. New theoretical methods for calculating FCS and noise spectra for strongly interacting, dissipative systems with long memory times. 3. The interpretation of experimental FCS data within the framework of theories presently available and/or to be developed here.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants