Phase Filters for a Novel Kind of Asymmetric Transport

TL;DR

This paper introduces nonreciprocal interferometers that allow particles to pass in both directions but break phase symmetry in one, proposing arrangements that could demonstrate Maxwell demon-like behavior and suggesting experimental tests.

Contribution

It presents the concept of nonreciprocal interferometers and novel arrangements to explore asymmetric quantum transport phenomena.

Findings

Proposal of nonreciprocal interferometers with phase-breaking properties

Design of larger interferometer arrangements exhibiting Maxwell demon-like effects

Potential experimental realization to observe these phenomena

Abstract

We present the concept of nonreciprocal interferometers. These two-way devices let particles pass in both directions, but in one direction break the phase of the particles' wave functions. Such filters can be realized by using, for example, asymmetric quantum rings. Furthermore, we propose arrangements of these interferometers to obtain larger interferometers which are expected to exhibit a puzzling behavior that resembles Maxwell demon action. We indicate an opportunity to resolve this puzzle experimentally.