Kinetic theory of quantum transport at the nanoscale

TL;DR

This paper introduces a quantum-kinetic scheme for calculating non-equilibrium transport in nanoscale systems, generalizing the Boltzmann equation using a Liouville-master approach and demonstrating its application to resonant tunneling structures.

Contribution

It presents a novel quantum-kinetic method based on a Liouville-master equation for nanoscale transport, extending classical kinetic models.

Findings

Successfully applied to a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure

Demonstrates feasibility of quantum-kinetic approach for nanoscale transport

Provides a general framework for non-equilibrium quantum transport calculations

Abstract

We present a quantum-kinetic scheme for the calculation of non-equilibrium transport properties in nanoscale systems. The approach is based on a Liouville-master equation for a reduced density operator and represents a generalization of the well-known Boltzmann kinetic equation. The system, subject to an external electromotive force, is described using periodic boundary conditions. We demonstrate the feasibility of the approach by applying it to a double-barrier resonant tunneling structure.