Quantum theoretic explanation of the Schwarz-Hora effect

Abstract

Following the path-integral approach we show that the Schwarz-Hora effect is a one-electron quantum-mechanical phenomenon in that the de Broglie wave associated with a single electron is modulated by the oscillating electric field. The treatment brings out the crucial role played by the crystal in providing a discontinuity in the longitudinal component of the electric field. The expression derived for the resulting current density shows the appropriate oscillatory behaviour in time and distance. The possibility of there being a temporal counterpart of Aharonov-Bohm effect is briefly discussed in this context.