The charge shuttle as a nanomechanical ratchet
arXiv:cond-mat/0408056 · doi:10.1103/PhysRevLett.94.036806
Abstract
We consider the charge shuttle proposed by Gorelik {\em et al.} driven by a time-dependent voltage bias. In the case of asymmetric setup, the system behaves as a rachet. For pure AC drive, the rectified current shows a complex frequency dependent response characterized by frequency locking at fracional values of the external frequency. Due to the non-linear dynamics of the shuttle, the rachet effect is present also for very low frequencies.
4 pages, 4 figures