Driven quantum transport on the nanoscale

TL;DR

This paper reviews how time-dependent fields influence quantum transport in nanoscale systems, focusing on electron current, noise, and various device applications using Floquet theory and other approaches.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive review of theoretical methods for driven quantum transport and applies them to diverse nanoscale devices, highlighting potential applications.

Findings

Floquet theory effectively describes driven quantum transport phenomena.

Comparison of different theoretical approaches enhances understanding.

Applications include molecular wires and microwave-irradiated quantum dots.

Abstract

We explore the prospects to control by use of time-dependent fields quantum transport phenomena in nanoscale systems. In particular, we study for driven conductors the electron current and its noise properties. We review recent corresponding theoretical descriptions which are based on Floquet theory. Alternative approaches, as well as various limiting approximation schemes are investigated and compared. The general theory is subsequently applied to different representative nanoscale devices, like the non-adiabatic pumps, molecular gates, molecular quantum ratchets, and molecular transistors. Potential applications range from molecular wires under the influence of strong laser fields to microwave-irradiated quantum dots.