X-ray coherence and ultra small angle resolution at grazing incidence and exit angles

We measure the nonspecular x-ray scattering at grazing incidence and exit angles from a GaAs surface, modulated by an one-dimensional lateral grating of effectively variable periodicity 1 md60 m. Due to the projection onto the sample surface, the lateral coherence length is enlarged by a factor of more than 100. The line broadening of the diffraction maxima is used to deduce the number of periods that add up coherently for a given periodd and given angle of incidence. We demonstrate that the scattering geometry used allows for large coherently illuminated lengths on the sample and ultra small angle resolution of one- or two-dimensional objects. Thus structures of m size and larger will be accessible by coherent x-ray scattering.     

Counterflow of electrons in two isolated quantum point contacts

We study the interaction between two adjacent but electrically isolated quantum point contacts (QPCs). At high enough source-drain bias on one QPC, the drive QPC, we detect a finite electric current in the second, unbiased, detector QPC. The current generated at the detector QPC always flows in the opposite direction than the current of the drive QPC. The generated current is maximal, if the detector QPC is tuned to a transition region between its quantized conductance plateaus and the drive QPC is almost pinched-off. We interpret this counterflow phenomenon in terms of an asymmetric phonon-induced excitation of electrons in the leads of the detector QPC.