Time-evolved numerical simulation of a two-dimensional electron wave packet through a quantum point contact
Akira Endoh, Shigehiko Sasa, Shunichi Muto
We performed time-evolved numerical simulation of a two-dimensional electron wave packet through a quantum point contact using the finite difference method to simulate the diffraction phenomenon of a single electron. We found that the transmitted wave packet has diffracted subpeaks which show the following properties: (1) The traces of diffracted subpeaks start from the center of the slit entrance. (2) Lateral wave number of diffracted subpeaks is quantized. (3) The diffraction angles are determined by slit width and the initial electron wave packet energy. (4) The number of allowed diffracted subpeaks is determined by potential barrier thickness. (5) There is a delay in the motion of diffracted subpeaks due to quantization inside the slit.
Applied Physics Letters•Jul 6, 1992•8 citations