An Adiabatic Quantum Electron Pump

• Published in: Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) Vol. 283; no. 5409; pp. 1905 - 1908
• Main Authors: Switkes, M., Marcus, C. M., Campman, K., Gossard, A. C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Washington, DC American Society for the Advancement of Science 19.03.1999; American Association for the Advancement of Science; The American Association for the Advancement of Science
• Subjects: Alternating current; Climate; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electric current; Electric potential; Electronic structure and electrical properties of surfaces, interfaces, thin films and low-dimensional structures; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Electronic transport in mesoscopic systems; Electrons; Exact sciences and technology; General formulation of transport theory; Magnetic fields; Mesoscopic systems; Narrative devices; Physics; Pumping; Quantum electrodynamics; Quantum Mechanics; Quantum theory; Standard deviation; Temperature dependence; Theory of electronic transport; scattering mechanisms; Confinement; Fluctuations; Quantum dots; Magnetic field effects; Theoretical study; Quantum effect; Symmetry breaking; Deformation potential; Pumping; Random effect; Transport processes; Mesoscopic systems; IV characteristic; Time reversal
• ISSN: 0036-8075; 1095-9203
• DOI: 10.1126/science.283.5409.1905

A quantum pumping mechanism that produces dc current or voltage in response to a cyclic deformation of the confining potential in an open quantum dot is reported. The voltage produced at zero current bias is sinusoidal in the phase difference between the two ac voltages deforming the potential and shows random fluctuations in amplitude and direction with small changes in external parameters such as magnetic field. The amplitude of the pumping response increases linearly with the frequency of the deformation. Dependencies of pumping on the strength of the deformations, temperature, and breaking of time-reversal symmetry were also investigated.