# Universal and Nonuniversal Dynamical Conductivity in Small Metallic Grains: An Ambivalent Role of T-Invariance at Finite Frequency

Authors: Nobuhiko Taniguchi
Journal: Journal of Probability and Statistics
 (2010)

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## Abstract

The idea of random matrix theory is applicable not only to the level statistics but also to various physical observables. Taking the dynamical conductivity in isolated quantum dots with diffusive
dynamics, we investigate analytically intertwining effects of the time-reversal invariance, level repulsion
and quantum interference. We clarify an ambivalent role of the time-reversal invariance at finite frequency by a new invariant analysis respecting the symmetry of the effective field theory. A subtlety of the operator insertion, and the fast-slow mode separation within the effective field description is pointed out.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

Since the dawn of mesoscopic physics, dynamical properties of small metallic grains have been attracting much attention both in experiments and in theories; they have been recognized as very useful physical realizations of the random matrix theory, because energy levels of such systems are known to exhibit strong repulsion as in random matrices. From a theoretical point of view, dynamical responses are much more complicated to investigate than energy level statistics. It is because the former requires an additional knowledge of electron wavefunctions or matrix elements in addition to energy spectra.In a pioneering paper by Gor’kov and Eliashberg (GE) [1], a phenomenological theory of dynamical responses was built based on the two statistical hypothesis: (i) independent fluctuations between matrix elements and energy levels (to single out the effect of the level repulsion), and (ii) the DOS correlator approximated by the Wigner-Dyson level correlator [2]. Although the original work was found to be insufficient in taking account of interaction effect [3, 4], the statistical approach has been widely accepted as a building block for subsequent studies [5, 6].Although statistical hypothesis seems plausible, its microscopic justification is hard and often requires a sophisticated method. The parameter controlling the validity is the dimensionless conductanceg (for diffusive systems, g=D/L2Δ where D is the diffusion coefficient in a linear size L and Δ is the mean level spacing). To our knowledge, the only adequate tool to employ is the supermatrix nonlinear sigma (NL-σ) approach [7], which proved the hypothesis (ii) in diffusive quantum dots with g≈∞. Justifying the “decoupling” hypothesis (i) came rather late [8, 9]. However, such decoupling scheme may be oversimplified. Indeed, a new quantum effect sensitive to the time-reversal invariance (T-invariance) was observed in the limit of g≈∞ as a flux-dependent polarizability at ω≲Δ [10, 11]. The effect has been unnoticed in the treatments based on the statistical hypothesis. This new effect should also affect the dynamical magnetto-conductivity, whose magnetic dependence can be either positive or negative by the frequency observed [12, 13].In this paper, utilizing the supermatrix formulation, we present a full analysis of the quantum effect on the dynamical conductivityσ(ω) in isolated small metallic grains. Unlike previous similar attempts, our approach encompasses all the frequency range and shed a new light on the role of T-invariance at finite frequency. We will point out a danger of applying a naive fast/slow mode separation within the effective field theory. We will stress the importance of the global and gauge invariance in evaluating σ(ω).


## 2. Dynamical Conductivity

To be concrete, we focus ourselves on the (local) ac conductivity obtained from isolated noninteracting quantum dots with diffusive dynamics. According to the linear response theory, ac conductivityσ(ω) at T=0 is expressed as(2.1)Reσ(ω)=πV〈Tr[δ(ɛ-H)v̂xδ(ɛ+ω-H)v̂x]〉.
Here the Hamiltonian H contains a random or irregular potential V(x), taking (we adopt e=ℏ=1)(2.2)H=(p̂-A)22m+V(r).
Instead of unjustifiable statistical hypothesis, the effective field theory assumes the ensemble average over random potential V(x), denoted by 〈⋯〉. The energy ɛ is set to the Fermi energy; the velocity operator v̂x is defined as v̂x=i[H,x̂]. We take account of Magnetic field B=rotA as a crossover between two universality classes: the unitary class with magnetic field (β=2), or the orthogonal with time-reversal invariance (β=1). In this paper, we neglect the level broadening, but the effect can be readily studied by introducing a complex frequency ω↦ω+iγ. Without the level broadening, σ(ω→+0) must vanish except for the Drude weight.We are now concerned with quantum correction of ac conductivity:(2.3)σ(ω)σcl(ω)-1.
The (semi)-classical conductivity σcl accounts for the contribution evaluated by decoupling the average of (2.1) into each δ-function:(2.4)σcl(ω)=πν2∫dr1dr2V|〈r1|v̂x|r2〉|2fɛ(r1,r2)fɛ+ω(r2,r1),
where ν is the average density of state (DOS), and the Friedel correlation f describes the universal spatial correlation of the wavefunction:(2.5)fɛ(r1,r2)=ν-1〈∑iψi(r1)ψi*(r2)δ(ɛ-ɛi)〉.
The function fɛ(r1,r2) is directly connected with the semiclassical phase-space density through the Wigner representation. For a diffusive electron, σcl coincides with the Drude conductivity σ0 for ω≳D/L2. However, it becomes proportional to ω2 for ω≲D/L2, because |〈r1|v̂x|r2〉|2∝ω2〈|x|2〉 and the oscillator strength 〈|x|2〉 of isolated quantum dots is finite [1, 5, 6].To evaluate a quantum correction equation (2.3) for ω≫Δ, one can employ a standard diagrammatical perturbation theory. In the time-reversal invariant system (β=1), a leading contribution comes from the Cooperon channel:(2.6)σper(ω)σ0-1=-Δπ∑q1Dq2-iω.
The result shows a positive magnetoconductance because the Cooperon is vulnerable to the time-reversal breaking,(2.7)σper(ω,B)-σper(ω,B=0)>0.Whenω decreases up to the order of the mean level spacing Δ, level repulsion should be visible. We no longer utilize the diagrammatic theory; we need a nonperturbative treatment, that is, the supermatrix NL-σ model, or RMT with statistical hypothesis. Earlier studies along this line started with examining the spatial dependence of the two-particle correlator (see (3.7)); they were successful in understanding the validity of GE result by the literal expansion of 1/g. We stress that the analysis so far is incomplete to cover the entire range of ω. When ω exceeds Δ, we should see σ(ω) gradually changing itself into the perturbative form (2.6); yet such a behavior cannot be captured by a finite order of 1/g expansions, since the diffusion form can appear only through resummation of all the order of 1/g expansion.Restoring the correct perturbation result forω≫Δ has another fundamental significance. If σ(ω) were to be proportional to the DOS correlator, it would mean σ(ω)∝ln2ω in 2D, but such behavior is incompatible with the RG treatment of conductivity. The role of T-invariance has to be reconsidered dynamically depending on the frequency range (see also experiments [12, 13]).


## 3. Summary of Results and Discussion

To resolve and clarify the role of T-invariance at finite frequency, we evaluate a quantum correction of the linear ac conductivity by resorting to the supermatrix NL-σ model, which provides a nonperturbative description of (low-energy) diffusion modes. A subtlety appears in considering how to reproduce σcl. Since σcl is a high-energy contribution, it should be implemented as a saddle point solution. Indeed, to reproduce (2.4), we need a nonlocal saddle point solution Q(r1,r2)∝f(r1,r2). A further spatial/spectral coarse-graining restores a local diffusive action as the effective field theory defined on the symmetric space as a result of gauging out the massive degrees of freedom.By implementing the above modification, the effective action with diffusive dynamics becomes (see our conventions in AppendixA)(3.1)F[Q]=-πc∫STr[σ0(∇Q)2+2iνωQΛ]dr.


### 3.1. Dynamical Conductivity by Invariant Correlators

By devoting all the derivation to the next section and appendices, we write our result as the following exact, nonperturbative expression of the quantum correction:(3.2)σ(ω)σcl(ω)-1=k(0)+nC(0)-16πσclcV∫𝒟xx(r)dr.
The quantum correction is found to consist of three terms: the DOS fluctuation k(0), the “Cooperon density” fluctuation nC(0) present only for time-reversal invariant system, and 𝒟(r) from the (global) current correlator of the supermatrix NL-σ model. The average 〈⋯〉 now means the integration over Q with the weight e-F[Q]. Each term in (3.2) is expressed as an invariant correlator of the NL-σ model:(3.3)k(r-r′)=-1c2〈STr[kQ(r)]STr[kQ(r′)]〉,nC(r-r′)=-δβ,1c2〈STr[kQ(r)kQ¯(r′)]〉,𝒟μν(r-r′)=1+δβ,1c2〈STr[k𝒥μ(r)k𝒥ν(r′)]〉,
where Q¯ is defined in Appendix A; the Noether current is 𝒥μ=(1/2)Q∂μQ. The above are written for β=1,2; the symplectic class β=4 can be incorporated by reversing the sign in front of nC(0). Note that a quantum correction is controlled by a coarse-grained dynamics, so that σ0 appears in the effective field theory. This is the main result of the paper.Equation (3.2) is exact; it has the same validity as the supermatrix NL-σ model itself, describing all the perturbative/nonperturbative effects fully, since it is derived within the effective theory through rewriting (2.1) without any further approximation. To examine a concrete dependence of σ(ω), we can readily utilize various well-controlled approximations available to the Q-matrix theory, either for ω≳Δ or for ω≲Δ.Though expressions similar to (3.2) can be found in literatures, they miss incorporating some ingredients due to nonperturbative and/or massive contributions. The formula substituting constant σ0 for σcl has been found before [14]. However such an expression implies a low-frequency behavior Reσ(ω)∝ωβ (for β=1,2 for the orthogonal/unitary class), not the form ω2+β suggested in [1, 5, 6]. The missing exponent will be explained by a proper treatment of massive contribution σcl∝ω2 in the present paper. Indeed, the appearance of frequency-dependent σcl(ω) rather than σ0 is mandatory as a consequence of the correct (gauge) invariance of the effective theory. In addition, there seems some interesting discrepancy with replica methods in the nonperturbative region, as will be discussed later. Both of these massive and nonperturbative contributions become important and dominant to the dynamical conductivity in small metallic grains.


### 3.2. Zero-Dimensional Limitω≪Δ

When we are interested inω≪Δ, we may use the 0D approximation of Q-matrix. In the lowest-order approximation, we can neglect the third term and only the first and the second term contribute. By seeing the level correlator is given by R(s)=1+V-1Re∫k(r)dr, ac conductivity becomes(3.4)σ(ω)σcl≈ℛwd(ωΔ)+Δ-iπωδβ,1,
where ℛwd(s) is a complexified function of the Wigner-Dyson level correlator Rwd(s), that is, Reℛwd(s)=Rwd(s). This reproduces the GE result, corrected by the second term from nC in the time-reversal invariant system. The second term has exactly the same origin of enhancement in the inverse participation ratio in a time-reversal invariant system and of the positive magnetopolarizability [10, 11].Higher corrections of1/gn (n=1,2) were obtained by the literal expansion of 1/g around 0D limit [8, 9]. As for nC, the result is consistent with its perturbative form in ω≫Δ:(3.5)nC(0;ω≫Δ)≈Δπ∑q1Dq2-iω.
One may naively think that this may lead to the conventional weak localization effect, but beware of the opposite sign! Rather, the local terms k(0) and nC(0) of (3.2) serve as negative magnetoconductance. The effect of time-reversal invariance/breaking is delicate. For the orthogonal case, the third term, which also becomes a diffusive form with twice as large as nC(0), cancels out nC and reproduces the standard diagrammatical result (2.6) with σcl instead of σ0. In contrast, the unitary case is even more subtle with the 1/g-correction absent. The term k(0) contributes as the same order as the current correlator. Combining these, we have a perturbative result:(3.6)σper(ω)σcl-1=(2-4d)(Δπ∑q1Dq2-iω)2.
In d→2, the correction needs a careful treatment; the dimensional regularization provides a familiar logarithmic dependence lnω at the order of O(1/g2), which conforms to the RG analysis.


### 3.3. Connection with the Decomposition Formula: Global and Gauge Symmetries

To understand further the nature of (3.2) as well as elucidating subtleties in earlier calculations by NL-σ approach, we compare the form with the “decomposition formula” [15], which underlies the previous evaluations of dynamical responses in the nonperturbative region [8–10]. A large g allows us to decompose spatial correlation of the two-particle Green function into the fast and slow spatial dependence, whose contribution consists of the three channels: k, nC defined as before, and the Diffuson channel n(r)=-c-2〈STr[kQ(r)kQ(0)]〉 [15]:(3.7)ν-2〈〈r1|δ(ɛ+ω-H)|r2〉〈r2|δ(ɛ-H)|r1〉〉=Re[|f(r12)|2(1+k(0)+nC(0))+n(r12)].
One might expect to obtain (3.2) by putting the above in the coordinate representation of (2.1). Indeed, by applying the velocity operators, we see that the terms k(0) and nC(0) agree exactly in two expressions. However, discrepancy exists in the third term. It arises from the way one uses the effective field theory, either after or before the operator (matrix element) insertion. Within the effective field theory, localization effect is encoded as interaction between diffusion modes arising from the nonlinear constraint Q2=1. Not only Q is “gauge-invariant” but also the NL-σ model has a global symmetry, which leads to the (nonlinear) diffusion equation 2D∇(Q∇Q)=-iω[Λ,Q]. Both of the symmetries must be conserved. One can immediately see the danger in inserting the operator ∇ (in v̂) on n(r) because the kinetic equation with nonlinear constraint induces not only a linear term of Q but also new composite fields. To get a meaningful result, these “higher-order” contributions must be treated not to violate both of the global and the gauge symmetries. The present argument also highlights the importance of formulating the problem in terms of invariant correlators defined in (3.3). Otherwise one could not convince oneself whether the invariance is manifested or not.


### 3.4. Incorporating Approximation

A reliable estimate of ac conductivity in a finite volume system is obtained by taking account both of the zero-mode integration and perturbative contributions around it [16]. After some straightforward but elaborate calculation for (3.2), we obtain the result for the unitary case:(3.8)σ(ω)σcl=ℛwd(s)[1+2(d-2)dΠ12(ω)-4(d+3)dΠ2(ω)]-2iπsd-2dΠ1(ω)+[4(d-2)dsℛwd'(s)+s2ℛwd′′(s)]Π2(ω),
where s=ω/Δ, and Πk(ω) denotes a contribution from the diffusion propagator:(3.9)Πk(ω)=Δkπk∑q1(Dq2-iω)k.
A similar but more involved expression can be obtained for the orthogonal case. It shows that except for a zero-mode contribution, a dominant (anomalous) term coincides with a perturbative behavior; nonperturbative effect is confined approximately in the factor ℛwd(s). The above observation implies that as a practical incorporating approximation, we can use the following form:(3.10)σ(ω)σcl≈ℛwd(ωΔ)σper(ω)σ0
for all universality classes, except for the zero-mode contribution of nC. The above form is anticipated when one attempts to make both the GE behavior for small ω and the RG behavior for large ω compatible. We have provided a solid justification microscopically through the NL-σ model.


## 3.1. Dynamical Conductivity by Invariant Correlators

By devoting all the derivation to the next section and appendices, we write our result as the following exact, nonperturbative expression of the quantum correction:(3.2)σ(ω)σcl(ω)-1=k(0)+nC(0)-16πσclcV∫𝒟xx(r)dr.
The quantum correction is found to consist of three terms: the DOS fluctuation k(0), the “Cooperon density” fluctuation nC(0) present only for time-reversal invariant system, and 𝒟(r) from the (global) current correlator of the supermatrix NL-σ model. The average 〈⋯〉 now means the integration over Q with the weight e-F[Q]. Each term in (3.2) is expressed as an invariant correlator of the NL-σ model:(3.3)k(r-r′)=-1c2〈STr[kQ(r)]STr[kQ(r′)]〉,nC(r-r′)=-δβ,1c2〈STr[kQ(r)kQ¯(r′)]〉,𝒟μν(r-r′)=1+δβ,1c2〈STr[k𝒥μ(r)k𝒥ν(r′)]〉,
where Q¯ is defined in Appendix A; the Noether current is 𝒥μ=(1/2)Q∂μQ. The above are written for β=1,2; the symplectic class β=4 can be incorporated by reversing the sign in front of nC(0). Note that a quantum correction is controlled by a coarse-grained dynamics, so that σ0 appears in the effective field theory. This is the main result of the paper.Equation (3.2) is exact; it has the same validity as the supermatrix NL-σ model itself, describing all the perturbative/nonperturbative effects fully, since it is derived within the effective theory through rewriting (2.1) without any further approximation. To examine a concrete dependence of σ(ω), we can readily utilize various well-controlled approximations available to the Q-matrix theory, either for ω≳Δ or for ω≲Δ.Though expressions similar to (3.2) can be found in literatures, they miss incorporating some ingredients due to nonperturbative and/or massive contributions. The formula substituting constant σ0 for σcl has been found before [14]. However such an expression implies a low-frequency behavior Reσ(ω)∝ωβ (for β=1,2 for the orthogonal/unitary class), not the form ω2+β suggested in [1, 5, 6]. The missing exponent will be explained by a proper treatment of massive contribution σcl∝ω2 in the present paper. Indeed, the appearance of frequency-dependent σcl(ω) rather than σ0 is mandatory as a consequence of the correct (gauge) invariance of the effective theory. In addition, there seems some interesting discrepancy with replica methods in the nonperturbative region, as will be discussed later. Both of these massive and nonperturbative contributions become important and dominant to the dynamical conductivity in small metallic grains.


## 3.2. Zero-Dimensional Limitω≪Δ

When we are interested inω≪Δ, we may use the 0D approximation of Q-matrix. In the lowest-order approximation, we can neglect the third term and only the first and the second term contribute. By seeing the level correlator is given by R(s)=1+V-1Re∫k(r)dr, ac conductivity becomes(3.4)σ(ω)σcl≈ℛwd(ωΔ)+Δ-iπωδβ,1,
where ℛwd(s) is a complexified function of the Wigner-Dyson level correlator Rwd(s), that is, Reℛwd(s)=Rwd(s). This reproduces the GE result, corrected by the second term from nC in the time-reversal invariant system. The second term has exactly the same origin of enhancement in the inverse participation ratio in a time-reversal invariant system and of the positive magnetopolarizability [10, 11].Higher corrections of1/gn (n=1,2) were obtained by the literal expansion of 1/g around 0D limit [8, 9]. As for nC, the result is consistent with its perturbative form in ω≫Δ:(3.5)nC(0;ω≫Δ)≈Δπ∑q1Dq2-iω.
One may naively think that this may lead to the conventional weak localization effect, but beware of the opposite sign! Rather, the local terms k(0) and nC(0) of (3.2) serve as negative magnetoconductance. The effect of time-reversal invariance/breaking is delicate. For the orthogonal case, the third term, which also becomes a diffusive form with twice as large as nC(0), cancels out nC and reproduces the standard diagrammatical result (2.6) with σcl instead of σ0. In contrast, the unitary case is even more subtle with the 1/g-correction absent. The term k(0) contributes as the same order as the current correlator. Combining these, we have a perturbative result:(3.6)σper(ω)σcl-1=(2-4d)(Δπ∑q1Dq2-iω)2.
In d→2, the correction needs a careful treatment; the dimensional regularization provides a familiar logarithmic dependence lnω at the order of O(1/g2), which conforms to the RG analysis.


## 3.3. Connection with the Decomposition Formula: Global and Gauge Symmetries

To understand further the nature of (3.2) as well as elucidating subtleties in earlier calculations by NL-σ approach, we compare the form with the “decomposition formula” [15], which underlies the previous evaluations of dynamical responses in the nonperturbative region [8–10]. A large g allows us to decompose spatial correlation of the two-particle Green function into the fast and slow spatial dependence, whose contribution consists of the three channels: k, nC defined as before, and the Diffuson channel n(r)=-c-2〈STr[kQ(r)kQ(0)]〉 [15]:(3.7)ν-2〈〈r1|δ(ɛ+ω-H)|r2〉〈r2|δ(ɛ-H)|r1〉〉=Re[|f(r12)|2(1+k(0)+nC(0))+n(r12)].
One might expect to obtain (3.2) by putting the above in the coordinate representation of (2.1). Indeed, by applying the velocity operators, we see that the terms k(0) and nC(0) agree exactly in two expressions. However, discrepancy exists in the third term. It arises from the way one uses the effective field theory, either after or before the operator (matrix element) insertion. Within the effective field theory, localization effect is encoded as interaction between diffusion modes arising from the nonlinear constraint Q2=1. Not only Q is “gauge-invariant” but also the NL-σ model has a global symmetry, which leads to the (nonlinear) diffusion equation 2D∇(Q∇Q)=-iω[Λ,Q]. Both of the symmetries must be conserved. One can immediately see the danger in inserting the operator ∇ (in v̂) on n(r) because the kinetic equation with nonlinear constraint induces not only a linear term of Q but also new composite fields. To get a meaningful result, these “higher-order” contributions must be treated not to violate both of the global and the gauge symmetries. The present argument also highlights the importance of formulating the problem in terms of invariant correlators defined in (3.3). Otherwise one could not convince oneself whether the invariance is manifested or not.


## 3.4. Incorporating Approximation

A reliable estimate of ac conductivity in a finite volume system is obtained by taking account both of the zero-mode integration and perturbative contributions around it [16]. After some straightforward but elaborate calculation for (3.2), we obtain the result for the unitary case:(3.8)σ(ω)σcl=ℛwd(s)[1+2(d-2)dΠ12(ω)-4(d+3)dΠ2(ω)]-2iπsd-2dΠ1(ω)+[4(d-2)dsℛwd'(s)+s2ℛwd′′(s)]Π2(ω),
where s=ω/Δ, and Πk(ω) denotes a contribution from the diffusion propagator:(3.9)Πk(ω)=Δkπk∑q1(Dq2-iω)k.
A similar but more involved expression can be obtained for the orthogonal case. It shows that except for a zero-mode contribution, a dominant (anomalous) term coincides with a perturbative behavior; nonperturbative effect is confined approximately in the factor ℛwd(s). The above observation implies that as a practical incorporating approximation, we can use the following form:(3.10)σ(ω)σcl≈ℛwd(ωΔ)σper(ω)σ0
for all universality classes, except for the zero-mode contribution of nC. The above form is anticipated when one attempts to make both the GE behavior for small ω and the RG behavior for large ω compatible. We have provided a solid justification microscopically through the NL-σ model.


## 4. Invariant Formulation

### 4.1.σ(ω) in the NL-σ Model

We now outline how the expression (3.2) is derived. Following the approach [17–19], we first rewrite the linear response σ(ω) directly within the framework of NL-σ model by introducing the external (background) gauge field 𝒜. Being expanded up to O(𝒜2) in the exponent, we define the observable σ(ω), which is known to be equivalent to the linear response theory. The effect of the external field 𝒜 is incorporated into NL-σ model by Q↦Qg=gQg-1 where 𝒜=g-1∇g. The symmetry of the effective theory requires the generating functional Z[𝒜] to take the following form for any choice of external field 𝒜:(4.1)Z[𝒜]=∫DQexp(-F[gQg-1])=expπc∫STr[σ(ω)(∇Qg)2+2iνωQgΛ]dr.
Here we define the observable σ(ω) on the right-hand side within the effective field theory. Comparing between both sides up to O(𝒜2), we find σ(ω) as(4.2)σ(ω)σclSTr[𝒜,Λ]2=〈STr[𝒜,Q(r)]2〉+2πσclcV〈(∫STr∇Q(r)[𝒜,Q(r)]dr)2〉.


### 4.2. Symmetrization into Invariant Correlators

Though (4.2) above may be useful to evaluate σ(ω), an explicit dependence on the choice of 𝒜 conceals the global and gauge symmetry of the theory, inconvenient for an actual evaluation. So we uncover the full symmetry by symmetrizing 𝒜. Following the idea in [18, 19], we recast the formula in terms of invariant correlators. In replica theories, such a symmetrization procedure is readily completed by using the Fierz identity. In the present case, however, symmetrizing 𝒜 over the relevant symmetry, that is, the superalgebra 𝔤𝔩(2∣2) for the unitary case (𝔬𝔰𝔭(4∣4) for the orthogonal) requires more careful treatment; the source field 𝒜 belongs to the Lie algebra with Grassmann structure rather than the Lie superalgebra itself [20]; we need to modify the relevant Fierz identities accordingly. As will be shown in Appendix B, a cautious symmetrization over the basis 𝒜=Xi∈𝔤𝔩(m∣n) leads to the following rules for 𝔤𝔩(m∣n):(4.3)STr[XiA]STr[XiB]→STr[kAkB],(4.4)STr[XiAXiB]→STr[kA]STr[kB],
where A and B are arbitrary supermatrices. For the time-reversal invariant system, 𝒜 has to be restricted to the orthosymplectic algebra 𝔬𝔰𝔭(4∣4), which is the time-reversal invariant subspace of 𝔤𝔩(4∣4). A resulting symmetrization rule for 𝔬𝔰𝔭 is found to be (Appendix B) (4.5)2STr[XiA]STr[XiB]→STr[kAk(B+B¯)],2STr[XiAXiB]→STr[kA]STr[kB]-STr[kACBtC].
By using the above symmetrization, (4.2) is found to be equal to (3.2).


### 4.3. Comparison with Replica Formulations

Quite interestingly, a striking discrepancy between supermatrix and replica formulations emerges upon symmetrization. In the study of RG treatment of the conductivity, corresponding formulae (for the ratio withσ0) have been derived long before in replica methods. While an unsymmetrized formula corresponding to (4.2) looks almost identical [17], a symmetrized formula in the replica method [18, 19] comprises only the third term, 𝒟xx of (3.2) for all three universality classes. This is so because, instead of (4.3) and (4.4), symmetrization rules for replica theories are (See Appendix B)(4.6)Tr[XiA]Tr[XiB]→Tr[AB],Tr[XiAXiB]→Tr[A]Tr[B].
Accordingly, no local terms survive after symmetrization.In the perturbative treatment, such a difference does not show up. Both the symmetrized and the unsymmetrized replica/supermatrix methods produce exactly the same perturbative RG results for all the three universality classes [17–19]. On the other hand, this is not true for nonperturbative contributions. Though some successful attempts exist to try to obtain nonperturbative Wigner-Dyson correlations [21–23], it is unclear whether the replica method will be able to account for a full nonperturbative effect such as (3.8) or (3.10), to the author's knowledge. The supermatrix formulation clearly has a better handle to work on both perturbative and nonperturbative contributions.


## 4.1.σ(ω) in the NL-σ Model

We now outline how the expression (3.2) is derived. Following the approach [17–19], we first rewrite the linear response σ(ω) directly within the framework of NL-σ model by introducing the external (background) gauge field 𝒜. Being expanded up to O(𝒜2) in the exponent, we define the observable σ(ω), which is known to be equivalent to the linear response theory. The effect of the external field 𝒜 is incorporated into NL-σ model by Q↦Qg=gQg-1 where 𝒜=g-1∇g. The symmetry of the effective theory requires the generating functional Z[𝒜] to take the following form for any choice of external field 𝒜:(4.1)Z[𝒜]=∫DQexp(-F[gQg-1])=expπc∫STr[σ(ω)(∇Qg)2+2iνωQgΛ]dr.
Here we define the observable σ(ω) on the right-hand side within the effective field theory. Comparing between both sides up to O(𝒜2), we find σ(ω) as(4.2)σ(ω)σclSTr[𝒜,Λ]2=〈STr[𝒜,Q(r)]2〉+2πσclcV〈(∫STr∇Q(r)[𝒜,Q(r)]dr)2〉.


## 4.2. Symmetrization into Invariant Correlators

Though (4.2) above may be useful to evaluate σ(ω), an explicit dependence on the choice of 𝒜 conceals the global and gauge symmetry of the theory, inconvenient for an actual evaluation. So we uncover the full symmetry by symmetrizing 𝒜. Following the idea in [18, 19], we recast the formula in terms of invariant correlators. In replica theories, such a symmetrization procedure is readily completed by using the Fierz identity. In the present case, however, symmetrizing 𝒜 over the relevant symmetry, that is, the superalgebra 𝔤𝔩(2∣2) for the unitary case (𝔬𝔰𝔭(4∣4) for the orthogonal) requires more careful treatment; the source field 𝒜 belongs to the Lie algebra with Grassmann structure rather than the Lie superalgebra itself [20]; we need to modify the relevant Fierz identities accordingly. As will be shown in Appendix B, a cautious symmetrization over the basis 𝒜=Xi∈𝔤𝔩(m∣n) leads to the following rules for 𝔤𝔩(m∣n):(4.3)STr[XiA]STr[XiB]→STr[kAkB],(4.4)STr[XiAXiB]→STr[kA]STr[kB],
where A and B are arbitrary supermatrices. For the time-reversal invariant system, 𝒜 has to be restricted to the orthosymplectic algebra 𝔬𝔰𝔭(4∣4), which is the time-reversal invariant subspace of 𝔤𝔩(4∣4). A resulting symmetrization rule for 𝔬𝔰𝔭 is found to be (Appendix B) (4.5)2STr[XiA]STr[XiB]→STr[kAk(B+B¯)],2STr[XiAXiB]→STr[kA]STr[kB]-STr[kACBtC].
By using the above symmetrization, (4.2) is found to be equal to (3.2).


## 4.3. Comparison with Replica Formulations

Quite interestingly, a striking discrepancy between supermatrix and replica formulations emerges upon symmetrization. In the study of RG treatment of the conductivity, corresponding formulae (for the ratio withσ0) have been derived long before in replica methods. While an unsymmetrized formula corresponding to (4.2) looks almost identical [17], a symmetrized formula in the replica method [18, 19] comprises only the third term, 𝒟xx of (3.2) for all three universality classes. This is so because, instead of (4.3) and (4.4), symmetrization rules for replica theories are (See Appendix B)(4.6)Tr[XiA]Tr[XiB]→Tr[AB],Tr[XiAXiB]→Tr[A]Tr[B].
Accordingly, no local terms survive after symmetrization.In the perturbative treatment, such a difference does not show up. Both the symmetrized and the unsymmetrized replica/supermatrix methods produce exactly the same perturbative RG results for all the three universality classes [17–19]. On the other hand, this is not true for nonperturbative contributions. Though some successful attempts exist to try to obtain nonperturbative Wigner-Dyson correlations [21–23], it is unclear whether the replica method will be able to account for a full nonperturbative effect such as (3.8) or (3.10), to the author's knowledge. The supermatrix formulation clearly has a better handle to work on both perturbative and nonperturbative contributions.


## 5. Conclusion

In conclusion, we have examined the dynamical conductivityσ(ω) in small metallic grains through invariant correlators of the supermatrix NL-σ model. The present formulation allows us to understand that T-invariance can either enhance or reduce σ(ω), depending on the frequency range. We have provide a unified point of view in understanding various perturbative/nonperturbative and massive/massless contributions. Our expression (3.2) is quite generic, derived from the symmetry of the effective field theory. Yet it is of much practical use in evaluating dynamical responses. A striking feature of the formula is the presence of local terms, k(0) and nC(0). We believe that the formula will gives a reliable way to account for various interesting nonperturbative effects such as (multi)fractality or “prelocalized states” in the conductivity. Our derivation is algebraic, so that the result can be extended to other universality classes described by supermatrix NL-σ models [24].



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*Source: 751395-2010-07-06.xml*