Effects of Coulomb interaction and tunneling on electron transport in coupled one-dimensional systems: from ballistic to diffusive regime

Abstract

A linear theory of electron transport is developed for a system of two ideal quantum wires, 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 diffusive regime. In the {\it ballistic} regime, both tunneling and Coulomb drag lead to a {\it negative} transresistance R_{TR}, while in the {\it diffusive} regime the tunneling opposes the drag and leads to a {\it positive} R_{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.