Time-dependent transport via the generalized master equation through a finite quantum wire with an embedded subsystem

TL;DR

This paper investigates time-dependent electron transport in a finite quantum wire with an embedded subsystem using the generalized master equation, highlighting effects like partial current reflection and resonance formation.

Contribution

It introduces a continuous model approach for analyzing transport in quantum wires with complex geometry, extending methods from tight-binding descriptions.

Findings

Partial current reflection due to quasi-bound states

Resonance formation between potential hill and system boundary

Effects of nontrivial geometry on transport dynamics

Abstract

The authors apply the generalized master equation to analyze time-dependent transport through a finite quantum wire with an embedded subsystem. The parabolic quantum wire and the leads with several subbands are described by a continuous model. We use an approach originally developed for a tight-binding description selecting the relevant states for transport around the bias-window defined around the values of the chemical potential in the left and right leads in order to capture the effects of the nontrivial geometry of the system in the transport. We observe a partial current reflection as a manifestation of a quasi-bound state in an embedded well and the formation of a resonance state between an off-set potential hill and the boundary of the system.