Semiclassical theory of a quantum pump

Saar Rahav and Piet W. Brouwer
Phys. Rev. B 74, 205327 – Published 21 November 2006

Abstract

In a quantum charge pump, the periodic variation of two parameters that affect the phase of the electronic wave function causes the flow of a direct current. The operating mechanism of a quantum pump is based on quantum interference, the phases of interfering amplitudes being modulated by the external parameters. In a ballistic quantum dot, there is a minimum time before which quantum interference cannot occur: the Ehrenfest time τE. Here we calculate the current pumped through a ballistic quantum dot if τE is comparable to the mean dwell time τD. Remarkably, we find that the pumped current has a component that is not suppressed if τEτD.

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  • Received 17 July 2006

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.74.205327

©2006 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Saar Rahav and Piet W. Brouwer

  • Laboratory of Atomic and Solid State Physics, Cornell University, Ithaca, New York 14853, USA

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Issue

Vol. 74, Iss. 20 — 15 November 2006

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