Fractional pumping of energy into a ballistic quantum ring

Abstract

We consider the energy stored in a one-dimensional ballistic ring with a barrier subject to a linearly time-dependent magnetic flux. An exact analytic solution for the quantum dynamics of electrons in the ring is found for the case when the electro-motive force ${\cal E}$ is much smaller than the level spacing, $Δ$. Electron states exponentially localized in energy are found for irrational values of the ratio $A\equivΔ/2e{\cal E}$. Relaxation limits the dynamic evolution and localization does not develop if $A$ is sufficiently close to a rational number. As a result the accumulated energy becomes a regular function of $A$ containing a set of sharp peaks at rational values (fractional pumping). The shape of the peaks and the distances between them are governed by the interplay between the strength of backscattering and the relaxation rate.