Theory of perturbatively nonlinear quantum transport II: Hilbert space truncation, gauge invariance, and second order transport in a spatially uniform, time-varying electric field

TL;DR

This paper develops a gauge-invariant, divergence-free formalism for second order quantum transport response to time-varying electric fields, addressing Hilbert space truncation effects and providing comprehensive Green's function expressions.

Contribution

It introduces a general, divergence-free second order response formula in the velocity gauge accounting for Hilbert space truncation and curvature effects, unifying gauge perspectives.

Findings

Derived divergence-free second order response formulas

Clarified gauge equivalence considering truncation-induced curvature

Provided Green's function framework for quantum transport responses

Abstract

This article is the second of a trilogy that addresses the perturbative response of general quantum systems, with possibly nontrivial ground state geometry, beyond linear order. Here, we establish concise, general formulae for second order response to a spatially uniform, time-varying electric field in the velocity gauge that are $\textit{manifestly}$ free of static limit spurious divergences. We first discuss general quantum evolution in a curved space, then detail how such a situation is a natural byproduct of Hilbert space truncation, and point out crucial subtleties associated with the resulting finite curvatures. We then present a geometric perspective of the two popular gauges often used in quantum transport theories, the velocity gauge and the length gauge, and discuss how they, taking truncation-induced curvature effects into account, naturally lead to the same results in spite of the truncation. We highlight subtle formal discrepancies in the literature. Finally, we provide a general scheme for removing static limit spurious divergences in the velocity gauge $\textit{without}$ frequency expansions and present concise and comprehensive Green's function formulae for responses up to second order. As an application of specific aspects of our theory, second order charge current responses in selected cases are analyzed in parts I and III.