English

Optimal Quantum Pumps

Mathematical Physics 2009-11-07 v2 Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics math.MP Quantum Physics

Abstract

We study adiabatic quantum pumps on time scales that are short relative to the cycle of the pump. In this regime the pump is characterized by the matrix of energy shift which we introduce as the dual to Wigner's time delay. The energy shift determines the charge transport, the dissipation, the noise and the entropy production. We prove a general lower bound on dissipation in a quantum channel and define optimal pumps as those that saturate the bound. We give a geometric characterization of optimal pumps and show that they are noiseless and transport integral charge in a cycle. Finally we discuss an example of an optimal pump related to the Hall effect.

Keywords

Cite

@article{arxiv.math-ph/0105011,
  title  = {Optimal Quantum Pumps},
  author = {J. E. Avron and A. Elgart and G. M. Graf and L. Sadun},
  journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:math-ph/0105011},
  year   = {2009}
}

Comments

RevTex, 4 pages, 2 figures