Phonon-Induced Zero-bias Currents in Solids

Abstract: Zero-bias current induced by injected phonons in metals and one-dimensional charge density wave (CDW) systems attached on the surface of the piezoelectric substrate is investigated microscopically based on the second order response theory. In contrast to the shift currents discovered by von Baltz and Kraut in which the zero-bias current is induced by AC electric field in systems without inversion symmetry, propagating phonons break the inversion symmetry in the presesnt case. The effects of both deformation potential and piezoelectric potential are taken into account. In the CDW system, zero-bias current appears below the transition temperature and its magnitude strongly depends on the position of the chemical potential. Possible experimental consequences are discussed.