Abstract
A quantum theory for the dc current induced by a surface acoustic wave (the acoustoelectric current) in a uniform quasi-one-dimensional quantum channel has been worked out. In long ballistic channels, giant oscillations of the acoustoelectric current were observed. According to the theoretical predictions (Gurevich et al 1996 Phys. Rev. Lett. 77 3881), in a perfect uniform channel a finite acoustoelectric current exists only if the acoustic frequency exceeds the specific threshold value which is determined by the momentum and energy conservation laws. However, a finite current has been clearly observed well below the threshold. In the present paper, we show that electron scattering against a random short-range potential leads to an additional backscattering, as well as to a smearing of the momentum conservation law. As a result, a finite current appears well below the threshold acoustic frequency. The analysis is performed using the Keldysh non-equilibrium Green's function technique.
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