Acoustoconductance of quantum contacts

TL;DR

This paper theoretically investigates the acoustoconductance of quantum contacts, highlighting how their energy-dependent transmission leads to unique effects such as positive conductance changes due to phonons, unlike uniform wires.

Contribution

It introduces a theoretical framework for acoustoconductance in quantum contacts, emphasizing the role of energy-dependent transmission and forward scattering effects.

Findings

Electrons forward scattered by phonons can increase conductance.

AC can have a positive sign in quantum contacts.

Contrast with uniform wires where only backscattered electrons contribute.

Abstract

We describe theoretically the acoustoconductance (AC) of quantum contacts. One characteristic of a contact which distinguishes it from a long, uniform wire is a strong, energy-dependent transmission probability. This has several consequences for AC. Electrons which are forward scattered by phonons can contribute to AC and, furthermore, AC can have positive sign (i.e. a conductance-increase under the influence of phonons). By contrast, for uniform wires only backscattered electrons contribute to AC which always has negative sign.