Magnetic Field Induced Charge Instabilities in Weakly Coupled Superlattices

Using a time dependent selfconsistent model for vertical sequential tunneling,we study the appearance of charge instabilities that lead to the formation of electric field domains in a weakly coupled doped superlattice in the presence of high magnetic fields parallel to the transport direction. The interplay between the high non linearity of the system --coming from the Coulomb interaction-- and the inter-Landau-level scattering at the domain walls (regions of charge accumulation inside the superlattice) gives rise to new unstable negative differential conductance regions and extra stable branches in the sawtooth-like I-V curves.Comment: 5 pages, 4 postscript figure

From zero resistance states to absolute negative conductivity in microwave irradiated 2D electron systems

Recent experimental results regarding a 2D electron gas subjected to microwave radiation reveal that magnetoresistivity, apart from presenting oscillations and zero resistance states, can evolve to negative values at minima. In other words, the current can evolve from flowing with no dissipation, to flow in the opposite direction of the dc bias applied. Here we present a theoretical model in which the existence of radiation-induced absolute negative conductivity is analyzed. Our model explains the transition from zero resistance states to absolute negative conductivity in terms of multiphoton assisted electron scattering due to charged impurities. It shows as well, how this transition can be driven by tuning microwave frequency and intensity. Then it opens the possibility of controlling the electron Larmor orbits dynamics (magnetoconductivity) in microwave driven nanodevices. The analysis of zero resistance states is therefore promising because new optical and transport properties in nanodevices will be expected.Comment: 5 pages and 4 figure

Magnetoresistivity Modulated Response in Bichromatic Microwave Irradiated Two Dimensional Electron Systems

We analyze the effect of bichromatic microwave irradiation on the magnetoresistivity of a two dimensional electron system. We follow the model of microwave driven Larmor orbits in a regime where two different microwave lights with different frequencies are illuminating the sample ($w_{1}$ and $w_{2}$). Our calculated results demonstrate that now the electronic orbit centers are driven by the superposition of two harmonic oscillatory movements with the frequencies of the microwave sources. As a result the magnetoresisitivity response presents modulated pulses in the amplitude with a frequency of $\frac{w_{1}-w_{2}}{2}$, whereas the main response oscillates with $\frac{w_{1}+w_{2}}{2}$.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figures Accepted in Applied Physics Letter

Microscopic derivation of transport coefficients and boundary conditions in discrete drift-diffusion models of weakly coupled superlattices

A discrete drift-diffusion model is derived from a microscopic sequential tunneling model of charge transport in weakly coupled superlattices provided temperatures are low or high enough. Realistic transport coefficients and novel contact current--field characteristic curves are calculated from microscopic expressions, knowing the design parameters of the superlattice. Boundary conditions clarify when possible self-sustained oscillations of the current are due to monopole or dipole recycling.Comment: 11 pages, two-column Revtex, 6 figures, new Appendix and figures, corrected some typo

Double coupled electron shuttle

A nano-shuttle consisting of two metallic islands connected in series and integrated between two contacts is studied. We evaluate the electron transport through the system in the presence of a source-drain voltage with and without an RF excitation. We evaluate the response of the system in terms of the net direct current generated by the mechanical motion of the oscillators. An introduction to the charge stability diagram is given in terms of electrochemical potentials and mechanical displacements. The low capacitance of the islands allows the observation of Coulomb blockade even at room temperature. Using radio frequency excitations, the nonlinear dynamics of the system is studied. The oscillators can be tuned to unstable regions where mechanically assisted transfer of electrons can further increase the amplitude of motion, resulting of a net energy being pumped into the system. The instabilities can be exploited to parametrically amplify the response to an excitation, suggesting a practical scheme for detection of mechanical motion of nanoscale objects

Random-walk topological transition revealed via electron counting

The appearance of topological effects in systems exhibiting a non-trivial topological band structure strongly relies on the coherent wave nature of the equations of motion. Here, we reveal topological dynamics in a classical stochastic random walk version of the Su-Schrieffer-Heeger model with no relation to coherent wave dynamics. We explain that the commonly used topological invariant in the momentum space translates into an invariant in a counting-field space. This invariant gives rise to clear signatures of the topological phase in an associated escape time distribution.Comment: 11 pages including supplementary information, comments are welcom

Multiquantum well spin oscillator

A dc voltage biased II-VI semiconductor multiquantum well structure attached to normal contacts exhibits self-sustained spin-polarized current oscillations if one or more of its wells are doped with Mn. Without magnetic impurities, the only configurations appearing in these structures are stationary. Analysis and numerical solution of a nonlinear spin transport model yield the minimal number of wells (four) and the ranges of doping density and spin splitting needed to find oscillations.Comment: 11 pages, 2 figures, shortened and updated versio

Channel Blockade in a Two-Path Triple-Quantum-Dot System

Electronic transport through a two-path triple-quantum-dot system with two source leads and one drain is studied. By separating the conductance of the two double dot paths, we are able to observe double dot and triple dot physics in transport and study the interaction between the paths. We observe channel blockade as a result of inter-channel Coulomb interaction. The experimental results are understood with the help of a theoretical model which calculates the parameters of the system, the stability regions of each state and the full dynamical transport in the triple dot resonances.Comment: 6 pages, 6 figure