Characteristics of two Coulomb blockade transistors separated by an island to which an oscillating potential is applied: Theory and experiment

Two Coulomb blockade devices connected in series and separated by a main island to which a rf signal was applied, are characterized electrically. The main island is large enough so that Coulomb phenomena in it can be neglected. Although no source-drain voltage is applied, the rf signal causes a current. The polarity of this current depends on the dc gate voltages, which control the two Coulomb blockade devices. The experimental data correspond closely to the simulations. Furthermore, it is evident from theoretical considerations that the circuit can pump electron packets against an applied potential. (C) 2001 American Institute of Physics.