Transport of interacting electrons through a potential barrier: nonperturbative RG approach

Abstract

We calculate the linear response conductance of electrons in a Luttinger liquid with arbitrary interaction g_2, and subject to a potential barrier of arbitrary strength, as a function of temperature. We first map the Hamiltonian in the basis of scattering states into an effective low energy Hamiltonian in current algebra form. Analyzing the perturbation theory in the fermionic representation the diagrams contributing to the renormalization group (RG) \beta-function are identified. A universal part of the \beta-function is given by a ladder series and summed to all orders in g_2. First non-universal corrections beyond the ladder series are discussed. The RG-equation for the temperature dependent conductance is solved analytically. Our result agrees with known limiting cases.