Nonreciprocal Ballistic Transport in Asymmetric Bands

Abstract: Nonreciprocal transport in uniform systems has attracted great research interest recently and the existing theories mainly focus on the diffusive regime. In this study, we uncover a novel scenario for nonreciprocal charge transport in the ballistic regime enabled by asymmetric band structures of the system. The asymmetry of the bands induces unequal Coulomb potentials within the system as the bias voltage imposed by the electrodes inverts its sign. As a result, the bands undergo different energy shifts as the current flows in opposite directions, giving rise to the nonreciprocity. Utilizing the gauge-invariant nonlinear transport theory, we show that the nonreciprocal transport predominantly originates from the second-order conductance, which violates the Onsager reciprocal relation but fulfills a generalized reciprocal relation similar to that of unidirectional magnetoresistance. The ballistic nonreciprocal transport phenomena differ from the diffusive ones by considering the internal asymmetric Coulomb potential, a factor not accounted for in diffusive cases but undeniably crucial in ballistic scenarios. Our work opens a avenue for implementing nonreciprocal transport in the ballistic regime and provides an alternative perspective for further experimental explorations for nonreciprocal transport.