The theory of the ”0.7 anomaly” in quantum point contacts

The phenomenology of the ”0.7 anomaly” in quantum point contacts is fully explained in terms of a quasi-localized state, which forms as the point contact opens up. Detailed numerical calculations within spin-density functional theory indeed confirm the emergence of such a state. Quantitative calculations of the conductance and the noise are obtained using a model based on these observations, and are in excellent agreement with existing experimental observations.