The quantum dynamics of mesoscopic discrete-charge electric circuits

Abstract

The quantum dynamics of a charged particle in an infinite chain of single-state quantum wells, in tight-binding approximation and under the action of an arbitrary time-dependent external field is investigated. The connection between the Hamiltonian description of this model and the Hamiltonian of a discrete-charge mesoscopic quantum circuit is elucidated. Based on this connection, the persistent current on a L-design nondissipative circuit is obtained.

Keywords

• mesoscopic systems
• charge discreteness
• dynamical algebra