Exact asymptotics of the current in boundary-driven dissipative quantum chains in large external fields

Area of Science:

• Condensed Matter Physics
• Quantum Mechanics
• Statistical Mechanics

Background:

• Investigating quantum transport in low-dimensional systems is crucial for understanding fundamental physics and developing novel electronic devices.
• Anisotropic Heisenberg spin chains and spinless fermion chains serve as key models for studying complex quantum phenomena.
• External fields and boundary dissipation significantly influence the behavior of quantum systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a boundary-driven quantum master equation for inhomogeneous anisotropic spin chains.
• To derive an exact analytical expression for the system's current under strong external fields and boundary dissipation.
• To demonstrate current rectification in interacting quantum systems.

Main Methods:

• Formulation of a quantum master equation for a general inhomogeneous anisotropic Heisenberg spin-1/2 chain.
• Analysis of the system in the presence of a strong external field (f).
• Derivation of exact closed-form expressions for large f asymptotics of the current.
• Inclusion of pure incoherent source and sink dissipation at the boundaries.

Main Results:

• An exact closed-form expression for the large f asymptotics of the current was obtained.
• The study demonstrates the possibility of achieving arbitrarily large current rectification.
• The rectification effect is shown to be present in the presence of interactions within the system.

Conclusions:

• The developed quantum master equation provides a powerful tool for studying quantum transport in complex spin systems.
• Strong external fields and boundary dissipation can be harnessed to control and rectify electrical current.
• The findings have implications for the design of quantum devices with tunable transport properties.