Different quantization mechanisms in single-electron pumps driven by surface acoustic waves

Abstract

We have studied the acoustoelectric current in single-electron pumps driven by surface acoustic waves. We have found that in certain parameter ranges two different sets of quantized steps dominate the acoustoelectric current versus gate-voltage characteristics. In some cases, both types of quantized steps appear simultaneously though at different current values, as if they were superposed on each other. This could indicate two independent quantization mechanisms for the acoustoelectric current.