We consider the influence of a surface acoustic wave on the conductance through a ballistic quantum channel with an adiabatic geometry produced by split gates in a two-dimensional electron gas. The surface acoustic wave leads to a contribution to the conductance of the quantum channel. This contribution, called the acoustoconductance, is shown to oscillate as a function of the Fermi level, which is controlled by the gate voltage.

• Received 7 May 1997

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.56.15299