A mesoscopic Tera-hertz pulse detector

We show that, under the passage of an electromagnetic terahertz pulse, an asymmetric double barrier device may act as an on/off current switch, depending on the bias. The time-dependent response of the device is discussed.Comment: 3 pages Revtex, 4 PS figures. To appear in Applied Physics Letter

Dicke effect in a quantum wire with side-coupled quantum dots

A system of an array of side-coupled quantum-dots attached to a quantum wire is studied theoretically. Transport through the quantum wire is investigated by means of a noninteracting Anderson tunneling Hamiltonian. Analytical expressions of the transmission probability and phase are given. The transmission probability shows an energy spectrum with forbidden and allowed bands that depends on the up-down asymmetry of the system. In up-down symmetry only the gap survives, and in up-down asymmetry an allowed band is formed. We show that the allowed band arises by the indirect coupling between the up and down quantum dots. In addition, the band edges can be controlled by the degree of asymmetry of the quantum dots. We discuss the analogy between this phenomenon with the Dicke effect in optics.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. To appear in Physica

Monetary policy rules in a small open economy: An application to Mexico

We estimate a small-scale macro model for the Mexican economy under the New Keynesian (NK) framework and alternative interest rate rules for Mexico. With these results we evaluate the performance of the Bank of Mexico against a set of optimality principles derived in the NK literature. We show that the Bank of Mexico holds a preference for stabilizing not only inflation around target, but also acts to achieve an output gap close to zero. Furthermore, we show the central bank responds non-linearly to real exchange rate depreciations. We also show that, although the central bank has attempted to contain inflation, it has not conclusively satisfied the Taylor principle, so moderate inflation during the period may be partly a consequence of a favorable macroeconomic environment, rather than active policy.Taylor Rule, New Keynesian, Monetary Policy, Interest Rate Rules, Small Open Economy

Bound states in the continuum driven by AC fields

We report the formation of bound states in the continuum driven by AC fields. This system consists of a quantum ring connected to two leads. An AC side-gate voltage controls the interference pattern of the electrons passing through the system. We model the system by two sites in parallel connected to two semi-infinite lattices. The energy of these sites change harmonically with time. We obtain the transmission probability and the local density of states at the ring sites as a function of the parameters that define the system. The transmission probability displays a Fano profile when the energy of the incoming electron matches the driving frequency. Correspondingly, the local density of states presents a narrow peak that approaches a Dirac delta function in the weak coupling limit. We attribute these features to the presence of bound states in the continuum.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Dynamic instability in resonant tunneling

We show that an instability may be present in resonant tunneling through a quantum well in one, two and three dimensions, when the resonance lies near the emitter Fermi level. A simple semiclassical model which simulates the resonance and the projected density of states by a nonlinear conductor, the Coulomb barrier by a capacitance, and the time evolution by an iterated map, is used. The model reproduces the observed hysteresis in such devices, and exhibits a series of bifurcations leading to fast chaotic current fluctuations.Comment: 7 pages, 2 figure

Transport in random quantum dot superlattices

We present a novel model to calculate single-electron states in random quantum dot superlattices made of wide-gap semiconductors. The source of disorder comes from the random arrangement of the quantum dots (configurational disorder) as well as spatial inhomogeneities of their shape (morphological disorder). Both types of disorder break translational symmetry and prevent the formation of minibands, as occurs in regimented arrays of quantum dots. The model correctly describes channel mixing and broadening of allowed energy bands due to elastic scattering by disorder

Non-Linear Effects in Resonant Tunneling; Bistabilities and Self-Sustained Oscillating Currents

We study non-linear phenomena in double barrier heterostructures. Systems in 3D under the effect of an external magnetic field along the current and 1D systems are analyzed. Non-linearities are reflected in the I-V characteristic curve as bistabilities, instabilities and time dependent oscillations of the currents. The nature of the non-linear behavior depends upon the parameters that define the system.Comment: 3 pages, 2 figures, accepted for publication in Superlattices and Microstructure