Interaction and temperature effects on the pair correlation function of a strongly interacting 1D quantum dot

The pair correlation function of a strongly interacting one-dimensional quantum dot is evaluated analytically within the framework of the spin coherent Luttinger liquid model. The influence of electron interactions and temperature on the competition between finite-size effects and electronic correlations is analyzed, also in the regime of large numbers of particles. The development of Wigner molecule correlations is observed as interactions get stronger. The visibility of such signatures is enhanced for temperatures comparable with the spin excitation energy of the system due to a suppression of the uncorrelated Friedel contribution to the pair correlation function. © 2013 Elsevier B.V.