2003/01/07 by J. B. Majer, Johannes Majer, J. Peguiron +4 · 5 citations
Physics and Astronomy · #Quantum and electron transport phenomena #Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies #cond-mat.mes-hall #cond-mat.stat-mech #cond-mat.supr-con #stochastic dynamics and bifurcation
paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevlett.90.056802
published as Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 056802 (2003) · Accepted for publication in Physical Review Letters
arxiv created 2003/01/07 · openalex publication_date 2003/02/04 · arxiv updated 2009/11/30 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/28
We have measured a quantum ratchet effect for vortices moving in a quasi-one-dimensional Josephson junction array. In this solid-state device the shape of the vortex potential energy, and consequently the band structure, can be accurately designed. This band structure determines the presence or absence of the quantum ratchet effect. In particular, asymmetric structures possessing only one band below the barrier do not exhibit current rectification at low temperatures and bias currents. The quantum nature of transport is also revealed in a universal/nonuniversal power-law dependence of the measured voltage-current characteristics for samples without/with rectification.