Resonant level in a dissipative environment: A possible quantum phase transition?

Gleb Finkelstein

Duke University, Physics, Durham, USA

We investigate tunneling through a resonant level embedded in a dissipative environment, which suppresses the tunneling rate at low temperatures. We study the shape of the resonant conductance peak, with the expectation that the width and height of the resonant peak, both dependent on the tunneling rate, will be suppressed. The observed behavior crucially depends on the ratio of the coupling between the resonant level and the two contacts. In particular, we find the regime where the unitary conductance limit is reached in the incoherent resonant tunneling. We discuss the implication of our findings for a possible boundary quantum phase transition.

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