Gauge-invariant nonlinear electric transport in mesoscopic conductors

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1996 EDP Sciences
, , Citation T. Christen and M. Büttiker 1996 EPL 35 523 DOI 10.1209/epl/i1996-00145-8

0295-5075/35/7/523

Abstract

We use the scattering approach to investigate the nonlinear current-voltage characteristics of mesoscopic conductors. We discuss the leading nonlinearity by taking into account the self-consistent nonequilibrium potential. We emphasize conservation of the overall charge and current and the invariance under a global voltage shift (gauge invariance). As examples, we discuss the rectification coefficient of a quantum point contact and the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic of a resonant level in a double-barrier structure.

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10.1209/epl/i1996-00145-8