Quantized dynamics of a coherent capacitor

TL;DR

This paper develops a non-linear scattering theory to analyze a quantum coherent capacitor's ability to emit or reabsorb single electrons with quantized currents at GHz frequencies, focusing on accuracy and noise for potential applications.

Contribution

It introduces a new theoretical framework for understanding the dynamics and noise characteristics of a quantum coherent capacitor as a single-electron source.

Findings

Quantized current accuracy depends on pulse parameters.

Noise analysis reveals limits for metrological applications.

The theory applies to arbitrary pulse shapes.

Abstract

A quantum coherent capacitor subject to large amplitude pulse cycles can be made to emit or reabsorb an electron in each half cycle. Quantized currents with pulse cycles in the GHz range have been demonstrated experimentally. We develop a non-linear dynamical scattering theory for arbitrary pulses to describe the properties of this very fast single electron source. Using our theory we analyze the accuracy of the current quantization and investigate the noise of such a source. Our results are important for future scientific and possible metrological applications of this source.