Numerical simulation of quantum directional couplers

 A numerical analysis of a quantum directional coupler based on Π-shaped electron waveguides is presented with use of the scattering-matrix method. After the optimization of the device parameters, uniform output for the two output ports and high directivity are obtained within a wide range of the electron momenta. The electron transfer in the device is found more efficient than that in the previously proposed structures. The study of the shape-dependence of transmission for the device shows that the device structure with smooth boundaries exhibits a much better performance. Received: 4 July 1996/Accepted: 9 September 1996