Semiclassical theory of a quantum pump
Abstract
In a quantum charge pump, the periodic variation of two parameters that affect the phase of the electronic wavefunction 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 can not occur: the Ehrenfest time. Here we calculate the current pumped through a ballistic quantum dot when the Ehrenfest time is comparable to the mean dwell time. Remarkably, we find that the pumped current has a component that is not suppressed if the Ehrenfest time is much larger than the mean dwell time.
Cite
@article{arxiv.cond-mat/0607425,
title = {Semiclassical theory of a quantum pump},
author = {Saar Rahav and Piet W. Brouwer},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:cond-mat/0607425},
year = {2007}
}
Comments
14 pages, 8 figures. Revised version, minor changes