Current-induced forces in single-resonance systems

TL;DR

This paper investigates the forces generated by electric currents in nanoscale systems modeled as quantum dots, providing insights into optimizing device performance and understanding mechanical effects in conductors.

Contribution

It offers a comprehensive analysis of current-induced forces and electronic friction in single-resonance systems, advancing understanding of nanoscale electromechanical interactions.

Findings

Current-induced forces depend on system parameters.

Electronic friction influences mechanical stability.

Results inform design of nanoelectromechanical devices.

Abstract

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in nanoelectromechanical devices, current-driven quantum machines, and the mechanical effects of electric currents on nanoscale conductors. Here, we carry out a thorough study of the current-induced forces and the electronic friction of systems whose electronic effective Hamiltonian can be described by an archetypal model, a single energy level coupled to two reservoirs. Our results can help better understand the general conditions that maximize the performance of different devices modeled as a quantum dot coupled to two electronic reservoirs. Additionally, they can be useful to rationalize the role of current-induced forces in the mechanical deformation of one-dimensional conductors.