Transport properties of quantum wires in spatially periodic magnetic and electrostatic fields

Abstract

Electron transport properties of quantum wires in the presence of modulated magnetic and electrostatic fields are investigated. We find dips in conductance just below each mode threshold in the presence of a periodic magnetic modulation. The combination of both electrostatic and magnetic modulations makes the conductance dips more pronounced. The effects of temperature and background magnetic field on the conductance dips are also studied. Increasing the number of periods of magnetic modulation can lead to magnetic blocking and reopening of the channel, as the field strength is increased. For higher incoming energy, a larger value of the magnetic modulation amplitude is needed to block the channel and to reopen it. For thicker magnetic barriers, the range of field strength for magnetic reopening narrows. Electrostatic modulation suppresses the magnetic reopening.