We have measured the full counting statistics (FCS) of current fluctuations in a semiconductor quantum dot (QD) by real-time detection of single electron tunneling with a quantum point contact (QPC). This method gives direct access to the distribution function of current fluctuations. Suppression of the second moment (related to the shot noise) and the third moment (related to the asymmetry of the distribution) in a tunable semiconductor QD is demonstrated experimentally.With this method we demonstrate the ability to measure very low current and noise levels.
We report on measurements of the quantum capacitance in graphene as a
function of charge carrier density. A resonant LC-circuit giving high
sensitivity to small capacitance changes is employed. The density of states,
which is directly proportional to the quantum capacitance, is found to be
significantly larger than zero at and around the charge neutrality point. This
finding is interpreted to be a result of potential fluctuations with amplitudes
of the order of 100 meV in good agreement with scanning single-electron
transistor measurements on bulk graphene and transport studies on nanoribbons
We present time-resolved measurements of electron transport through a quantum dot. The measurements were performed using a nearby quantum point contact as a charge detector. The rates for tunneling through the two barriers connecting the dot to source and drain contacts could be determined individually. In the high bias regime, the method was used to probe excited states of the dot. Furthermore, we have detected bunching of electrons, leading to super-Poissonian noise. We have used the framework of full counting statistics (FCS) to model the experimental data. The existence of super-Poissonian noise suggests a long relaxation time for the involved excited state, which could be related to the spin relaxation time.PACS numbers:
Piezoelectric quartz tuning forks are investigated for use as force sensors in dynamic mode scanning probe microscopy at temperatures down to 1.5 K and in magnetic fields up to 8 T. The mechanical properties of the forks are extracted from the frequency dependent admittance and simultaneous interferometric measurements. The performance of the forks in a cryogenic environment is investigated. Force-distance studies performed with these sensors at low temperatures are presented.
A scanning force microscope was implemented operating at temperatures below 4.2K and in magnetic fields up to 8T. Piezoelectric quartz tuning forks were employed for non optical tip-sample distance control in the dynamic operation mode. Fast response was achieved by using a phase-locked loop for driving the mechanical oscillator. Possible applications of this setup for various scanning probe techniques are discussed.
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