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

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