2009/04/15 by Eduard Takhtamirov, Takhtamirov, Eduard
Physics and Astronomy · #FOS: Physical sciences #Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall) #cond-mat.mes-hall
paper · pdf · doi:10.48550/arxiv.0904.2341
4 pages, 1 figure
arxiv created 2009/04/15 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01
We trace a simple mechanical model of a ratchet, and embed its setup in a conventional quasi-two-dimensional electron system in a semiconductor heterostructure. Expressed are two distinct microscopic mechanisms for such systems to serve as quantum ratchets producing the in-plane directed current from zero-mean time-dependent electric fields. The effective-mass swap ratchet is based on modulation of the mobility through alteration of the electron's effective mass. Modulation of the strength of the effective in-plane electric field marks the skin-effect ratchet. They can generate both linear and circular photocurrents, the later taking place in the dissipationless regime.