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Towards a quantum representation of the ampere using single electron pumps

Author

Listed:
  • S.P. Giblin

    (National Physical Laboratory)

  • M. Kataoka

    (National Physical Laboratory)

  • J.D. Fletcher

    (National Physical Laboratory)

  • P. See

    (National Physical Laboratory)

  • T.J.B.M. Janssen

    (National Physical Laboratory)

  • J.P. Griffiths

    (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

  • G.A.C. Jones

    (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

  • I. Farrer

    (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

  • D.A. Ritchie

    (Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge)

Abstract

Electron pumps generate a macroscopic electric current by controlled manipulation of single electrons. Despite intensive research towards a quantum current standard over the last 25 years, making a fast and accurate quantized electron pump has proved extremely difficult. Here we demonstrate that the accuracy of a semiconductor quantum dot pump can be dramatically improved by using specially designed gate drive waveforms. Our pump can generate a current of up to 150 pA, corresponding to almost a billion electrons per second, with an experimentally demonstrated current accuracy better than 1.2 parts per million (p.p.m.) and strong evidence, based on fitting data to a model, that the true accuracy is approaching 0.01 p.p.m. This type of pump is a promising candidate for further development as a realization of the SI base unit ampere, following a redefinition of the ampere in terms of a fixed value of the elementary charge.

Suggested Citation

  • S.P. Giblin & M. Kataoka & J.D. Fletcher & P. See & T.J.B.M. Janssen & J.P. Griffiths & G.A.C. Jones & I. Farrer & D.A. Ritchie, 2012. "Towards a quantum representation of the ampere using single electron pumps," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 3(1), pages 1-6, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:3:y:2012:i:1:d:10.1038_ncomms1935
    DOI: 10.1038/ncomms1935
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