Transport in conductors and rectifiers: Mean-field Redfield equations and nonequilibrium Green's functions

Zekun Zhuang, Jaime Merino, and J. B. Marston
Phys. Rev. B 102, 125147 – Published 25 September 2020

Abstract

We derive a closed equation of motion for the one particle density matrix of a quantum system coupled to multiple baths using the Redfield master equation combined with a mean-field approximation. The steady-state solution may be found analytically with perturbation theory. Application of the method to a one-dimensional noninteracting quantum wire yields an expression for the current that reproduces the celebrated Landauer's formula. Nonlinear rectification is found for the case of a mesoscopic three-dimensional semiconductor pn junction. The results are in good agreement with numerical simulations obtained using nonequilibrium Green's functions, supporting the validity of the Redfield equations for the description of transport.

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  • Received 27 July 2020
  • Revised 31 August 2020
  • Accepted 2 September 2020

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.102.125147

©2020 American Physical Society

Physics Subject Headings (PhySH)

Condensed Matter, Materials & Applied Physics

Authors & Affiliations

Zekun Zhuang1, Jaime Merino2, and J. B. Marston3

  • 1Department of Physics, Box 1843, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912-1843, USA
  • 2Departamento de Fsíca Teórica de la Materia Condensada, Condensed Matter Physics Center (IFIMAC) and Instituto Nicolás Cabrera, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid 28049, Spain
  • 3Brown Theoretical Physics Center and Department of Physics, Box 1843, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island 02912-1843, USA

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Issue

Vol. 102, Iss. 12 — 15 September 2020

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