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Gauge invariant nonlinear electric transport in mesoscopic conductors

T. Christen·M. Buttiker
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Abstract

We use the scattering approach to investigate the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic of mesoscopic conductors. We discuss the leading nonlinearity by taking into account the self-consistent nonequilibrium potential. We emphasize conservation of the overall charge and current which are connected to the invariance under a global voltage shift (gauge invariance). As examples, we discuss the rectification coefficient of a quantum point contact and the nonlinear current-voltage characteristic of a resonant level in a double barrier structure.

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T. Christen, M. Buttiker. 1996-04-24. Gauge invariant nonlinear electric transport in mesoscopic conductors. https://doi.org/10.1209/epl%2Fi1996-00145-8

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