Turbulence-induced magnetic flux asymmetry at nanoscale junctions

TL;DR

This paper predicts that turbulence in electron flow at nanoscale junctions causes magnetic flux asymmetry, which can be measured to detect the transition from laminar to turbulent flow.

Contribution

It introduces a method to detect turbulence transition in nanoscale electron flow via magnetic flux asymmetry measurements.

Findings

Flux asymmetry increases with turbulence

Maximum flux asymmetry indicates transition point

Flux asymmetry decreases after turbulence peak

Abstract

It was recently predicted [J. Phys.: Condens. Matter 18, 11059 (2006)] that turbulence of the electron flow may develop at nonadiabatic nanoscale junctions under appropriate conditions. Here we show that such an effect leads to an asymmetric current-induced magnetic field on the two sides of an otherwise symmetric junction. We propose that by measuring the fluxes ensuing from these fields across two surfaces placed at the two sides of the junction would provide direct and noninvasive evidence of the transition from laminar to turbulent electron flow. The flux asymmetry is predicted to first increase, reach a maximum and then decrease with increasing current, i.e. with increasing amount of turbulence.