Title: Chaotic scattering in nano-electronic systems: from billiards to clusters

Authors: T.P. Martin, C.A. Marlow, B.C. Scannell, M.S. Fairbanks, H. Linke, S.A. Brown, R.P. Taylor

Addresses: Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, OR 97403, USA. ' Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, OR 97403, USA. ' Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, OR 97403, USA. ' Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, OR 97403, USA. ' Department of Physics, University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon, OR 97403, USA. ' Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand. ' Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Canterbury, Christchurch, New Zealand

Abstract: We review electron billiard experiments in which magnetoconductance fluctuations are used to investigate the role played by the billiard boundaries in determining electron interference processes. We present a unified picture of quantum interference across the ballistic and diffusive scattering regimes, in which the interference is shaped by an interplay between boundary scattering and chaotic scattering induced by the host material. We discuss the implications of this model for self-assembled nanoscale systems by considering bismuth nanoclusters.

Keywords: chaos; fractals; nanostructures; electron transport; chaotic scattering; nanoelectronics; electron billiard experiments; magnetoconductance fluctuations; electron interference; nanotechnology; self-assembly; bismuth nanoclusters.

DOI: 10.1504/IJNT.2009.022929

International Journal of Nanotechnology, 2009 Vol.6 No.3/4, pp.408 - 417

Published online: 03 Feb 2009 *

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