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Rescuing a Quantum Phase Transition with Quantum Noise
Gu Zhang1, E Novais2, Harold U Baranger1
1Department of Physics, Duke University, P.O. Box 90305, Durham, North Carolina 27708, USA.
Abstract:
We show that placing a quantum system in contact with an environment can enhance non-Fermi-liquid correlations, rather than destroy quantum effects, as is typical. The system consists of two quantum dots in series with two leads; the highly resistive leads couple charge flow through the dots to the electromagnetic environment, the source of quantum noise. While the charge transport inhibits a quantum phase transition, the quantum noise reduces charge transport and restores the transition. We find a non-Fermi-liquid intermediate fixed point for all strengths of the noise. For strong noise, it is similar to the intermediate fixed point of the two-impurity Kondo model.
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