Mesoscopic Charge Relaxation

Abstract

We consider charge relaxation in the mesoscopic equivalent of an $RC$ circuit. For a single-channel, spin-polarized contact, self-consistent scattering theory predicts a universal charge relaxation resistance equal to half a resistance quantum independent of the transmission properties of the contact. This prediction is in good agreement with recent experimental results. We use a tunneling Hamiltonian formalism and show in Hartree-Fock approximation that at zero temperature the charge relaxation resistance is universal even in the presence of Coulomb blockade effects. We explore departures from universality as a function of temperature and magnetic field.