We analyze the quantum phases of a superconducting quantum dot array. Superconducting quantum dots are connected through Josephson junction. We study the effect of finite range Josephson coupling and also finite range interactions between the dots. Our field-theoretical study predicts different kinds of phases near the charge degeneracy point. We predict two different kinds of repulsive Luttinger liquid phases originate from different sources: one from the commensurate-incommensurate transition and the other from the
XY criticality. Apart from the charge-density wave, we also predict the possibility of dimer-order density wave from the interplay of long-range interaction between the dots and Cooper-pair density. We observe different multicritical points with interesting phases and also two special points. The renormalization group flow diagram also shows many interesting phases.
We have obtained the quantum phase diagram of one dimensional extended Bose-Hubbard model using the density-matrix renormalization group and Abelian bosonization methods for different commensurabilities. We describe the nature of different quantum phases at the charge degeneracy point. We find a direct phase transition from Mott insulating phase to superconducting phase for integer band fillings of bosons. We predict explicitly the presence of two kinds of repulsive Luttinger liquid phases, apart from the charge density wave and superconducting phases for half-integer band fillings. Our study reveals that extended range interactions are necessary to get the correct phase boundary of an one-dimensional interacting bosons system.
We analyze the ground state properties of an array of quantum dots connected in series between superconducting electrodes. This system is represented by a finite Hubbard chain coupled at both ends to BCS superconductors. The ground state is obtained using the Lanczos algorithm within a low energy theory in which the bulk superconductors are replaced by effective local pairing potentials. We study the conditions for the inversion of the sign of the Josephson coupling ($\ensuremath{\pi}$-junction behavior) as a function of the model parameters. Results are presented in the form of phase diagrams, which provide a direct overall view of the general trends as the size of the system is increased, exhibiting a strong even-odd effect. The analysis of the spin-spin correlation functions and local charges give further insight into the nature of the ground state and how it is transformed by the presence of superconductivity in the leads. Finally, we study the scaling of the Josephson current with the system size and relate these results with previous calculations of Josephson transport through a Luttinger liquid.
We revise a phase diagram for the sliding Luttinger liquid (SLL) of coupled one-dimensional quantum wires packed in two- or three-dimensional arrays in the absence of a magnetic field. We analyse whether physically justifiable (reasonable) inter-wire interactions, i.e. either the screened Coulomb or "Coulomb-blockade" type interactions, stabilise the SLL phase. Calculating the scaling dimensions of the most relevant perturbations (the inter-wire single-particle hybridisation, charge-density wave, and superconducting inter-wire couplings), we find that their combination always destroys the SLL phase for the repulsive intra-wire interaction. However, suppressing the inter-wire tunnelling of repulsive fermions (when the charge-density wave is the only remaining perturbation), one can observe a stability region emerging due to the inter-wire forward scattering interaction.
We revise a phase diagram for the sliding Luttinger liquid (SLL) of coupled one-dimensional quantum wires packed in two- or three-dimensional arrays in the absence of a magnetic field. We analyse whether physically justifiable (reasonable) inter-wire interactions, i.e. either the screened Coulomb or 'Coulomb-blockade' type interactions, stabilise the SLL phase. Calculating the scaling dimensions of the most relevant perturbations (the inter-wire single-particle hybridisation, charge-density wave, and superconducting inter-wire couplings), we find that their combination always destroys the SLL phase for the repulsive intra-wire interaction. However, suppressing the inter-wire tunnelling of repulsive fermions (when the charge-density wave is the only remaining perturbation), one can observe a stability region emerging due to the inter-wire forward scattering interaction.
The case of a quantum dot connected to two superconducting leads is studied by using the narrow-band limit to describe the superconducting degrees of freedom. The model provides a simple theoretical framework, almost analytical, to analyze the interplay between the Kondo effect, superconductivity, and finite temperature. In the quantum dot Kondo regime, the model is completely characterized by the ratio $\ensuremath{\Delta}/J$, with $\ensuremath{\Delta}$ the superconducting gap and
J an effective antiferromagnetic exchange coupling between the dot and the leads. The model allows us to calculate, at any temperature
T, the equilibrium Josephson current through the dot in a very straightforward way as a function of $\ensuremath{\Delta}/J$. The behavior of the current allows us to distinguish the four types of hybrid junctions: 0, ${0}^{\ensuremath{'}},{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$, and $\ensuremath{\pi}$. The presence of the 0- and ${0}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-junction configurations are intrinsically linked to the Kondo effect in the quantum dot, while the $\ensuremath{\pi}$- and ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-junction configurations are driven by the superconductivity in the leads. The Josephson critical current has a non-monotonic behavior with temperature, that may be used for the experimental characterization of the fundamental $0\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\pi}$ transition. The model allows us to obtain easily a phase diagram $\ensuremath{\Delta}/J$ vs temperature, from where we can obtain an overall picture on the stability of the different types of junctions. From the explicit analytical expressions for the ground-state, low-energy excitations, free energy, and Josephson current, it is easy to understand the physical nature of the main features of the critical current and the phase diagram. The results, obtained with a minimum of numerical effort, are in a good qualitative agreement with more demanding calculational approaches aimed to solve the full model.