Transport through a lattice with local loss: from quantum dots to lattice gases

Recent work has studied fermion transport through a finite one-dimensional lattice of quantum dots, with localized particle loss from the central lattice site. The dots at each end of the lattice are connected to macroscopic leads, represented as zero-temperature reservoirs of free fermions with a given potential difference. Here we show how this model represents one limiting case of a larger class of models that can be realized with cold quantum gases in optical lattices. While quantum gas realizations allow many system parameters to be varied, we note limitations from finite size effects, and conclude that quantum dots and quantum gases offer complementary views on transport through lossy finite lattices.