Transient magnetotransport through a quantum wire

Abstract

We consider an ideal parabolic quantum wire in a perpendicular magnetic field. A simple Gaussian shaped scattering potential well or hill is flashed softly on and off with its maximum at $t=0$, mimicking a temporary broadening or narrowing of the wire. By an extension of the Lippmann-Schwinger formalism to time-dependent scattering potentials we investigate the effects on the continuous current that is driven through the quantum wire with a vanishingly small forward bias. The Lippmann-Schwinger approach to the scattering process enables us to investigate the interplay between geometrical effects and effects caused by the magnetic field.