Coherent quantum ratchets driven by tunnel oscillations: Fluctuations and correlations

TL;DR

This paper investigates quantum ratchet currents in coupled quantum dots driven by tunnel oscillations, analyzing fluctuations and correlations through quantum master equations and full-counting statistics.

Contribution

It introduces a model of quantum ratchets driven by tunnel oscillations and derives analytical results for current noise and Fano factor using reduced master equations.

Findings

Ratchet current correlates with Poissonian noise characteristics.

Analytical expressions for Fano factor in the driven quantum dot system.

Large ratchet currents are associated with Poissonian-like fluctuations.

Abstract

We study two capacitively coupled double quantum dots focusing on the regime in which one double dot is strongly biased, while no voltage is applied to the other. Then the latter experiences an effective driving force which induces a ratchet current, i.e., a dc current in the absence of a bias voltage. Its current noise is investigated with a quantum master equation in terms of the full-counting statistics. This reveals, that whenever the ratchet current is large, it also exhibits some features of a Poissonian process. By eliminating the drive circuit, we obtain a reduced master equation which provides analytical results for the Fano factor.