Mesoscopic diode

Abstract

Here we discuss the possibility of an alternative rectifying structure which operates in the world of mesoscopic devices. A simple quantum constriction (wide-narrow geometry) is found to act as a rectifier in the coherent transport regime if Fermi energy is between the propagation thresholds of the wide and narrow parts. Also a quantum structure is proposed which is predicted to operate as a rectifier at room temperatures. This diode for the nanostructures is a quantum wire with an asymmetric quantum constriction (AQC) which works in the coherent transport regime. Structurally imperfect mesoscopic diodes retain rectifying features, although the actual I-V characteristics are different in comparison to the perfect devices. © 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.