Geometrically induced rectification in two-dimensional ballistic nanodevices

This paper demonstrates that a two-dimensional ballistic nanodevice in which the electron gas satisfies either the Schrödinger equation (as in quantum wells in common semiconductor heterostructures) or the Dirac equation (as in graphene) is able to rectify an electric signal if the device has a non-uniform cross-section, for instance a tapered configuration. No p-n junctions or dissimilar electrodes are necessary for rectification.