Nonlinear magnetoconductance of a classical ballistic system

TL;DR

This paper investigates how classical ballistic electron systems exhibit nonlinear magnetoconductance, revealing an asymmetry in current response due to combined bias and magnetic field effects, with classical effects dominating at higher temperatures.

Contribution

It introduces a classical mechanism for nonlinear magnetoconductance in ballistic systems, highlighting its significance alongside quantum effects, especially at elevated temperatures.

Findings

Nonlinear current component lacks H→-H symmetry: δI=α_{cl} V^2 H

Classical mechanism's magnitude comparable to quantum interference at zero temperature

Classical effects dominate at higher temperatures due to weaker temperature dependence

Abstract

We study nonlinear transport through a classical ballistic system accounting for the Coulomb interaction between electrons. The joint effect of the applied bias $V$ and magnetic field $H$ on the electron trajectories results in a component of the non-linear current $I(V,H)$ which lacks the $H\to -H$ symmetry: $\delta I=\alpha_{cl} V^2 H$. At zero temperature the magnitude of $\alpha_{cl}$ is of the same order as that arising from the quantum interference mechanism. At higher temperatures the classical mechanism is expected to dominate due to its relatively weak temperature dependence.