Crossover from the Luttinger-Liquid to Coulomb-Blockade Regime in Carbon Nanotubes

Abstract

We develop a theoretical approach to the low-energy properties of one-dimensional electron systems aimed to encompass the mixed features of Luttinger-liquid and Coulomb-blockade behavior observed in the crossover between the two regimes. For this aim, we extend the Luttinger-liquid description by incorporating the effects of a discrete single-particle spectrum. The intermediate regime is characterized by a power-law behavior of the conductance, but with an exponent oscillating with the gate voltage, in agreement with recent experimental observations. Our construction also accounts naturally for the existence of a crossover in the zero-bias conductance, mediating between two temperature ranges where the power-law behavior is preserved but with a different exponent.