Analysis of interface conversion processes of ballistic and diffusive motion in driven superlattices

Thomas Wulf, Christoph Petri, Benno Liebchen, and Peter Schmelcher
Phys. Rev. E 86, 016201 – Published 2 July 2012

Abstract

We explore the nonequilibrium dynamics of noninteracting classical particles in a one-dimensional driven superlattice which is composed of domains exposed to different time-dependent forces. It is shown how the combination of directed transport and conversion processes from diffusive to ballistic motion causes strong correlations between velocity and phase for particles passing through a superlattice. A detailed understanding of the underlying mechanism allows us to tune the resulting velocity distributions at distinguished points in the superlattice by means of local variations of the applied driving force. As an intriguing application we present a scheme how initially diffusive particles can be transformed into a monoenergetic pulsed particle beam whose parameters such as its energy can be varied.

  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
  • Figure
3 More
  • Received 7 March 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevE.86.016201

©2012 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

Thomas Wulf*, Christoph Petri, Benno Liebchen, and Peter Schmelcher

  • Zentrum für Optische Quantentechnologien, Universität Hamburg, Luruper Chaussee 149, 22761 Hamburg, Germany

  • *Thomas.Wulf@physnet.uni-hamburg.de
  • Peter.Schmelcher@physnet.uni-hamburg.de

Article Text (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand

References (Subscription Required)

Click to Expand
Issue

Vol. 86, Iss. 1 — July 2012

Reuse & Permissions
Access Options
Author publication services for translation and copyediting assistance advertisement

Authorization Required


×
×

Images

×

Sign up to receive regular email alerts from Physical Review E

Log In

Cancel
×

Search


Article Lookup

Paste a citation or DOI

Enter a citation
×