Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors

Details Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors

2012-02-14

arxiv.org/abs/1202.3152v1

Physics

Condensed Matter

Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics

4+ pages, 3 figures

Scientific paper

Electron transport in mesoscopic conductors has traditionally involved investigations of the mean current and the fluctuations of the current. A complementary view on charge transport is provided by the distribution of waiting times between charge carriers, but a proper theoretical framework for coherent electronic systems has so far been lacking. Here we develop a quantum theory of electron waiting times in mesoscopic conductors expressed by a compact determinant formula. We illustrate our methodology by calculating the waiting time distribution for a quantum point contact and find a cross-over from Wigner-Dyson statistics at full transmission to Poisson statistics close to pinch-off. Even when the low-frequency transport is noiseless, the electrons are not equally spaced in time due to their inherent wave nature. We discuss the implications for renewal theory in mesoscopic systems and point out several analogies with energy level statistics and random matrix theory.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

No associations

Rating

Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this scientific paper.

If you have personal experience with Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Electron Waiting Times in Mesoscopic Conductors will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFWR-SCP-O-555944