Quantum interference effects in electron transport through Y-branches

• Recently, nonlinear properties of three-terminal ballistic junctions (TBJs) were predicted by theoretical calculations done by Xu, and potential applications such as rectification and logic function proposed. In that analysis the TBJ was modeled by connecting three quantum point contacts via a ballistic cavity with adiabatic boundaries, thus neglecting any backscattering of electrons. In this paper we develop a realistic model based on the scattering-matrix method for the calculation of transport through TBJs with arbitrary potential profiles. Temperature-dependent linear and nonlinear transport has been calculated and analyzed for a number of Y-shaped devices with different geometries, sizes, impurity concentrations and various degrees of boundary roughness. Interference effects are shown to influence the characteristics of the calculated transport in a strong way at low temperature where new quantum phenomena are predicted

Subject headings

NATURVETENSKAP  -- Fysik -- Den kondenserade materiens fysik (hsv//swe)

NATURAL SCIENCES  -- Physical Sciences -- Condensed Matter Physics (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Y-branches

quantum interference effects

nonlinear properties

quantum phenomena

three terminal ballistic junctions

potential applications

rectification

quantum point contacts

logic function

ballistic cavity

adiabatic boundaries

electron backscattering

realistic model

electron transport

scattering matrix method

temperature dependent linear transport

Y-shaped devices

boundary roughness

impurity concentrations

Publication and Content Type

kon (subject category)

ref (subject category)