Frequency scaling of photo-induced tunneling

TL;DR

This paper investigates how the frequency of an electric field influences photo-induced tunneling currents in a one-dimensional electron channel with finite-range interactions, revealing a crossover in frequency-scaling behavior.

Contribution

It provides a theoretical analysis of frequency-dependent tunneling conductance considering finite-range electron-electron interactions and the shape of the driving electric field.

Findings

Cusp-like minima in conductance at integer multiples of hbar Omega / e

Frequency-scaling exhibits a crossover between Omega^{-1} and Omega^{-2}

Scaling behavior depends on interaction range and electric field shape

Abstract

The DC current-voltage characteristics, induced by a driving electric field with frequency Omega, of a one dimensional electron channel with a tunnel barrier is calculated. Electron-electron interaction of finite-range is taken into account. For intermediate interaction strengths, the non-linear differential conductance shows cusp-like minima at bias voltages integer multiples of hbar Omega / e that are a consequence of the finite non-zero range of the interaction but are independent of the shape of the driving electric field. However, the frequency-scaling of the photo-induced current shows a cross-over between Omega^{-1} and Omega^{-2}, and depends on the spatial shape of the driving field and the range of the interaction.