PAULI PUMP FOR ELECTRONS

Inspired by recent developments in GaAs-AlxGa1-xAs heterostructure fabrication, we propose a simple device based on quantum adiabatic transport that can work as an electron pump. It consists of two gates to which an alternating voltage is applied with a relative phase shift, which breaks the time-reversal symmetry. Its operation relies on the Pauli principle, which leads to a distinction for the electrons transmitted through the device between inelastic emission and absorption processes. Depending on the modulation amplitude, transmission of one electron per photon or a few electrons per cycle can be realized. It is also possible to measure the electron velocity. Since inelastic processes occur in a controlled way, the device can serve to test assumptions about electron reservoirs in the presence of phase breaking.