Effects of inhomogeneous magnetic fields on the electron transport through a quantum-wire system

The electron transport through a quantum-wire system in the presence of inhomogeneous magnetic fields is investigated theoretically. The system consists of two parallel quantum wires coupled by two ballistic windows, while the magnetic fields applied are uniform and equal in the two wires but vanishing in the two coupling windows and everywhere between the wires, Various transmissions of the system are calculated. It is found that the inhomogeneous magnetic fields induce irregular transmission oscillations in the low and moderate magnetic-field regions, and regular ones in the high field region, These transmission oscillations are due to interference between the electron waves traveling through different coupling windows and can be interpreted in terms of a semiclassical model. The Hall resistance of the system is also calculated and is found to show similar regular oscillations at high magnetic fields. (C) 1999 Academic Press.