Electron Scattering Through a Quantum Dot: A Phase Lapse Mechanism

Abstract

The scattering phase shift of an electron transferred through a quantum dot is studied within a model Hamiltonian, accounting for both the electron--electron interaction in the dot and a finite temperature. It is shown that, unlike in an independent electron picture, this phase may exhibit a phase lapse of $ π$ {\em between } consecutive resonances under generic circumstances.