Inelastic Quantum Transport

TL;DR

This paper presents a nonperturbative quantum mechanical solution for inelastic electron transport in a 1D Holstein model under strong electric fields, capturing full quantum coherence and electron-phonon interactions.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method to solve the inelastic quantum transport problem retaining quantum coherence, unlike previous rate or Boltzmann approaches.

Findings

Calculated transport current and correlations nonperturbatively

Demonstrated quantum diffusion behavior

Revealed complex wavefunction branching dynamics

Abstract

We solve a Schrodinger equation for inelastic quantum transport that retains full quantum coherence, in contrast to previous rate or Boltzmann equation approaches. The model Hamiltonian is the zero temperature 1d Holstein model for an electron coupled to optical phonons (polaron), in a strong electric field. The Hilbert space grows exponentially with electron position, forming a non-standard Bethe lattice. We calculate nonperturbatively the transport current, electron-phonon correlations, and quantum diffusion. This system is a toy model for the constantly branching ``wavefunction of the universe''.