Electron Waiting Times in Non-Markovian Quantum Transport

TL;DR

This paper develops a quantum theory for electron waiting times in non-Markovian systems, enabling analysis of memory effects in charge transport through nano-structures, exemplified by a dissipative double quantum dot.

Contribution

It introduces a novel theoretical framework for electron waiting time distributions in non-Markovian quantum transport, incorporating memory effects and bath spectral properties.

Findings

Memory effects significantly influence electron waiting times.

Spectral properties of the heat bath can be inferred from waiting time measurements.

Non-Markovian dephasing alters the distribution of electron waiting times.

Abstract

We formulate a quantum theory of electron waiting time distributions for charge transport in nano-structures described by non-Markovian generalized master equations. We illustrate our method by calculating the waiting time distribution of electron transport through a dissipative double quantum dot, where memory effects are present due to a strongly coupled heat bath. We consider the influence of non-Markovian dephasing on the distribution of electron waiting times and discuss how spectral properties of the heat bath may be detected through measurements of the electron waiting time.