Transport and Dephasing in a Quantum Dot: Multiply Connected Graph Model

Abstract

Using the theory of diffusion in graphs, we propose a model to study mesoscopic transport through a diffusive quantum dot. The graph consists of three quasi-1D regions: a central region describing the dot, and two identical left- and right- wires connected to leads, which mimic contacts of a real system. We find the exact solution of the diffusion equation for this graph and evaluate the conductance including quantum corrections. Our model is complementary to the RMT-models describing quantum dots. Firstly, it reproduces the universal limit at zero temperature. But the main advantage compared to RMT-models is that it allows one to take into account interaction-induced dephasing at finite temperatures. Besides, the crossovers from open to almost closed quantum dots and between different regimes of dephasing can be described within a single framework. We present results for the temperature dependence of the weak localization correction to the conductance for the experimentally relevant parameter range and discuss the possibility to observe the elusive 0D-regime of dephasing in different mesoscopic systems.