Coherent particle transfer in an on-demand single-electron source

Phys Rev Lett. 2008 Nov 7;101(19):196404. doi: 10.1103/PhysRevLett.101.196404. Epub 2008 Nov 7.

Abstract

Electron transfer from a localized state in a quantum dot into a ballistic conductor generally results in particle-hole excitations. We study this effect, considering a resonance level with time-dependent energy coupled to particle states in the Fermi sea. We find that, as the resonance level is driven through the Fermi-level, particle-hole excitations can be suppressed for certain driving protocols. In particular, such noiseless transfer occurs if the level moves with constant rapidity, its energy changing linearly with time. A scheme to study the coherence of particle transfer is proposed.