Quantum light rectification in nano-rectennas

This paper introduces the paradigm of quantum light rectification by nano-rectennas. The theory is based on the synthesis of the quantum-optical light description and the scattering-matrix approach to phase-coherent electron transport in rectifying diodes (Landauer-Buttiker concept). The dc-current operator is expressed in terms of the special functions of the normally ordered electronic and photonic creation-annihilation operators. The observable dc-current is calculated as an expectation value of the current operator with respect to both electronic and light components of the rectenna state. Potential applications of the developed theory to the solar power conversion into the dc-current are discussed.