Phenomenology of the 0.7 conductance feature

We describe a phenomenological model for the conductance feature near 0.7×2e2/h that occurs in quantum point contacts. We focus on the transconductance at finite source–drain bias and contrast our model with the results expected from a single-particle picture. Good agreement is seen in comparing the model with experimental data, taken on ultra-low-disorder GaAs induced electron systems. Although simple, our phenomenology suggests important boundary conditions for an underlying microscopic theory.