arXiv · 1103.4809
Scattering theory of current-induced forces in mesoscopic systems
Abstract
We develop a scattering theory of current-induced forces exerted by the conduction electrons of a general mesoscopic conductor on slow "mechanical" degrees of freedom. Our theory describes the current-induced forces both in and out of equilibrium in terms of the scattering matrix of the phase-coherent conductor. Under general nonequilibrium conditions, the resulting mechanical Langevin dynamics is subject to both non-conservative and velocity-dependent Lorentz-like forces, in addition to (possibly negative) friction. We illustrate our results with a two-mode model inspired by hydrogen molecules in a break junction which exhibits limit-cycle dynamics of the mechanical modes.
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Niels Bode, Silvia Viola Kusminskiy, Reinhold Egger, Felix von Oppen. 2011-07-11. Scattering theory of current-induced forces in mesoscopic systems. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevlett.107.036804
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