Theoretical Physics(DTP)
Physique théorique (DPT)
Masaki OSHIKAWA
Tokyo Institute of Technology
Junctions of three quantum wires and the dissipative Hofstadter model
A junction of three quantum wires enclosing a magnetic flux is studied. Each wire contains a one-dimensional Tomonaga-Luttinger liquid of spinless electrons. Unlike the junction of two wires, which has been well understood, Fermi statistics of electrons has non-trivial consequences for the present problem. We present a direct connection between this problem and the dissipative Hofstadter problem, or quantum Brownian motion in two dimensions in a periodic potential and an external magnetic field, which is also related to open string theory in a background electromagnetic field. We find non-trivial fixed points corresponding to a chiral conductance tensor. It implies an asymmetric flow of the current.
In collabaration with: C Chamon Boston University,I Affleck University of British Columbia.