ac field-induced quantum rectification effect in tunnel junctions

2003/09/12 by M. V. Fistul, Andrey E. Miroshnichenko, A. E. Miroshnichenko +2
Computer Science · Mathematics · Physics and Astronomy · #Amplitude #Condensed matter physics #Current (fluid) #Electron #Field (mathematics) #Geometry #Mathematics #Nonlinear Dynamics and Pattern Formation #Physics #Power (physics) #Quantum #Quantum mechanics #Quantum tunnelling #Ratchet #Ratchet effect #Rectification #Spectroscopy and Quantum Chemical Studies #Symmetry (geometry) #Tunnel junction #cond-mat #quant-ph #stochastic dynamics and bifurcation

paper · pdf · doi:10.1103/physrevb.68.153107

4 pages, 3 figures, to be published in Physical Review B

arxiv created 2003/09/12 · openalex publication_date 2003/10/28 · arxiv updated 2009/12/01 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/08/05

Abstract

We study the appearance of directed current in tunnel junctions (quantum ratchet effect), in the presence of an external ac field f(t). The current is established in a one-dimensional discrete inhomogeneous ``tight-binding model.'' By making use of a symmetry analysis we predict the right choice of f(t) and obtain the directed current as a difference between electron transmission coefficients in opposite directions, \ensuremathΔT=T^LR\ensuremath-T^RL. Numerical simulations confirm the predictions of the symmetry analysis and moreover, show that the directed current can be drastically increased by a proper choice of frequency and amplitudes of the ac field f(t).

Citations

• Symmetry broken motion of a periodically driven Brownian particle: Nonadiabatic regime
• Broken space-time symmetries and mechanisms of rectification of ac fields by nonlinear (non)adiabatic response
• Wave scattering by discrete breathers
• Quantum Ratchet Effect for Vortices
• Rectification of laser-induced electronic transport through molecules