title: Local moment formation in quantum point contacts.
abstract: Spin-density-functional theory of quantum point contacts (QPCs) reveals the formation of a local moment with a net of one electron spin in the vicinity of the point contact-supporting the recent report of a Kondo effect in a QPC. The hybridization of the local moment to the leads decreases as the QPC becomes longer, while the on site Coulomb-interaction energy remains almost constant.
authors.affiliation: Fundamental Research Laboratories, NEC Corporation, 34 Miyukigaoka, Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305-8501, Japan.
authors.forename: Kenji
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hirose
authors.forename: Yigal
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Meir
authors.forename: Ned S
authors.initials: NS
authors.lastname: Wingreen