On Three “Anomalous” Measurements of Nonlinear QPC Conductance

Abstract

Practical mesoscopic devices based on quantum point contacts (QPCs) must function at operating point involving large internal driving fields. Experimental evidence has accumulated to display anomalous nonlinear features of QPC response beyond the capacities of accepted tunnelling-based models of nonlinear quantum transport. Here, we recall the physical setting of three anomalous QPC experiments and review how, for two of them, a microscopically based nonequilibrium quantum kinetic description—the correct physical boundary conditions being crucial—has already overcome the predictive limitations of standard nonequilibrium mesoscopic models. The third experiment remains a significant challenge to all theorists.

Keywords

• anomalous conductance quantization
• high-field noise in QPCs
• nonlinear Aharonov–Bohm effect
• nonlinear mesoscopic transport
• quantum-Boltzmann equation