  Rectification is a process that converts electromagnetic fields into a direct
current. Such a process underlies a wide range of technologies such as wireless
communication, wireless charging, energy harvesting, and infrared detection.
Existing rectifiers are mostly based on semiconductor diodes, with limited
applicability to small voltage or high frequency inputs. Here, we present an
alternative approach to current rectification that uses the intrinsic
electronic properties of quantum crystals without using semiconductor
junctions. We identify a previously unknown mechanism for rectification from
skew scattering due to the inherent chirality of itinerant electrons in
time-reversal-invariant but inversion-breaking materials. Our calculations
reveal large, tunable rectification effects in graphene multilayers and
transition metal dichalcogenides. Our work demonstrates the possibility of
realizing high-frequency rectifiers by rational material design and quantum
wavefunction engineering.
