Year: 1996
Type: article
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.
Source: Europhysics Letters (EPL)
Authors: T Christen, M Büttiker
Institutions: University of Geneva, University of California, Santa Barbara
Language: English
Subfield: Condensed Matter Physics
Field: Physics and Astronomy
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W1975422305