Effects of Coulomb Interaction and Tunneling on Electron Transport in Coupled One-Dimensional Systems: From the Ballistic to the Diffusive Regime

Abstract

A linear theory of electron transport is developed for a system of two ideal quantum wires, each of length $L$, coupled by tunneling and Coulomb interaction. The interaction of electrons with acoustical phonons is included and the results are valid in both the ballistic and the diffusive regimes. In the ballistic regime, both tunneling and Coulomb drag lead to a negative transresistance $R_{\mathrm{TR}}$, while in the diffusive regime the tunneling opposes the drag and leads to a positive $R_{\mathrm{TR}}$. If $L$ is smaller than the phase-breaking length, the tunneling leads to interference oscillations of the resistance that are damped exponentially with $L$.