Quantum ratchets

A ratchet is an asymmetric periodic structure with the possibility to extract net particle flow from unbiased driving. A classical example of a ratchet is the windmill.  In our work we focus on quantum ratchets,  with the aim of describing the interplay among quantum fluctuations, unbiased driving, and spatial potential asymmetry.  

The windmill: a classical ratchet

See some key publications:

Quantum Dissipative Ratchets
Milena Grifoni
In: Nonlinear Dynamics of Nanosystems, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim (2010)

Charge ratchet from spin flip: space-time symmetry paradox
Sergey Smirnov, Dario Bercioux, Milena Grifoni und Klaus Richter
Phys. Rev. B 80, 201310(R) (2009)

Interplay between quantum dissipation and an in-plane magnetic field in the spin ratchet effect
Sergey Smirnov, D Bercioux, Milena Grifoni und Klaus Richter
Phys. Rev. B 78, 245323 (2008)

Quantum dissipative Rashba spin ratchets
Sergey Smirnov, Dario Bercioux, Milena Grifoni und Klaus Richter
Phys. Rev. Lett. 100, 230601-1 (2008)

Bloch's theory in periodic structures with Rashba's spin-orbit interaction
Sergey Smirnov, D. Bercioux und Milena Grifoni
Europhys. Lett. 80, 27003 (2007)

Quantum Brownian motion in ratchet potentials: duality relation and its consequences
J. Peguiron und Milena Grifoni
Chem. Phys. 322, 169-186 (2006)

Duality relation for quantum ratchets
J. Peguiron und Milena Grifoni
Phys. Rev. E 71, 010101 (2005)

Quantum Ratchet Effect for Vortices
J. B. Majer, J. Peguiron, Milena Grifoni, M. Tusveld und J. E. Mooij
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 056802 (2003)

Quantum Ratchets with Few Bands below the Barrier
Milena Grifoni, M. S. Ferreira, J. Peguiron und J. B. Majer
Phys. Rev. Lett. 89, 146801 (2002)

Duality relation for quantum ratchets
J. Peguiron and M. Grifoni
Phys. Rev. E  71, 010101 (2005)

Quantum Ratchet Effect for Vortices
J. Majer, J. Peguiron, M. Grifoni, M. Tusveld and J. Mooij
Phys. Rev. Lett. 90, 056802 (2003)

Quantum Ratchets with Few Bands below the Barrier
M. Grifoni, M. Ferreira, J. Peguiron and J. Majer
Phys. Rev. Lett.  89, 146801 (2002)

Nonadiabatic quantum brownian rectifiers
I. Goychuk, M. Grifoni and P. Hänggi
Phys. Rev. Lett. 81, 649 (1998)

Quantum ratchets
P. Reimann, M. Grifoni and P. Hänggi
Phys. Rev. Lett. 79, 10 (1997)