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  • Letter
  • Open Access

Casimir-cavity-induced conductance changes

Garret Moddel*, Ayendra Weerakkody, David Doroski, and Dylan Bartusiak

  • Department of Electrical, Computer, and Energy Engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colorado, 80309-0425, USA

  • *moddel@colorado.edu
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Phys. Rev. Research 3, L022007 – Published 20 April, 2021

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevResearch.3.L022007

Abstract

The differential conductance of metal-insulator-metal devices increases when they are joined with Casimir cavities. An imbalance in injection of hot charge carriers from each side of the insulator is increased with thinner cavities that suppress more quantum vacuum modes. The result is an observed increase in conductance. Additional conductance changes, with insulator thickness and other device parameters, are consistent with an imbalance-induced injection of hot carriers. In addition to the conductance changes, we observe anomalous offsets in the current and voltage. We interpret the conductance changes in terms of a ΔEΔt uncertainty-principle-like limit to the injection of hot carriers from zero-point fluctuations.

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Outline

Information

Phys. Rev. Research 3, L022007– Published 20 April, 2021
  • Received 18 August 2020
  • Revised 24 January 2021
  • Accepted 8 April 2021
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