arXiv:1611.04242 · Frontiers of Physics

Master equation approach to transient quantum transport in nanostructures

Pei-Yun Yang, Wei-Min Zhang

Published Nov 26, 2016• 24 citations

Abstract

In this review article, we present a non-equilibrium quantum transport theory for transient electron dynamics in nanodevices based on exact Master equation derived with the path integral method in the fermion coherent-state representation. Applying the exact Master equation to nanodevices, we also establish the connection of the reduced density matrix and the transient quantum transport current with the Keldysh nonequilibrium Green functions. The theory enables us to study transient quantum transport in nanostructures with back-reaction effects from the contacts, with non-Markovian dissipation and decoherence being fully taken into account. In applications, we utilize the theory to specific quantum transport systems, a variety of quantum decoherence and quantum transport phenomena involving the non-Markovian memory effect are investigated in both transient and stationary scenarios at arbitrary initial temperatures of the contacts.

DOI: 10.1007/s11467-016-0640-z

Related papers

Exact Master Equation and Non-Markovian Decoherence for Quantum Dot Quantum Computing

Ming‐Tsung Lee, Wei-Min Zhang

In this article, we report the recent progress on decoherence dynamics of electrons in quantum dot quantum computing systems using the exact master equation we derived recently based on the Feynman–Vernon influence functional approach. The exact master equation is valid for general nanostructure systems coupled to multi-reservoirs with arbitrary spectral densities, temperatures and biases. We take the double quantum dot charge qubit system as a specific example, and discuss in details the decoherence dynamics of the charge qubit under coherence controls. The decoherence dynamics risen from the entanglement between the system and the environment is mainly non-Markovian. We further discuss the decoherence of the double-dot charge qubit induced by quantum point contact (QPC) measurement where the master equation is re-derived using the Keldysh non-equilibrium Green function technique due to the non-linear coupling between the charge qubit and the QPC. The non-Markovian decoherence dynamics in the measurement processes is extensively discussed as well.

Aug 17, 201611 citations

Non-Markovian master equation for quantum transport of fermionic carriers

Дмитрий Н. Максимов, S. V. Aksenov, Andrey R. Kolovsky

We propose a simple, yet feasible, model for quantum transport of fermionic carriers across tight-binding chain connecting two reservoirs maintained at arbitrary temperatures and chemical potentials. The model allows for elementary derivation of the master equation for the reduced single particle density matrix (SPDM) in a closed form in both Markov and Born approximations. In the Markov approximation the master equation is solved analytically, whereas in the Born approximation the problem is reduced to an algebraic equation for the SPDM in the Redfield form. The non-Markovian equation is shown to lead to resonant transport similar to Landauer's conductance. It is shown that in the deep non-Markovian regime the transport current can be matched with that obtained by the non-equilibrium Green's function method.

arXiv:2207.01943Journal of Physics Condensed MatterOct 13, 20235 citations

Electron systems out of equilibrium: Nonequilibrium Green's function approach

Václav Špička, Bedřich Velicky´, Anděla Kalvová

This review deals with the state of the art and perspectives of description of nonequilibrium many-body systems using the nonequilibrium Green's function (NGF) method. The basic aim is to describe time evolution of the many-body system from its initial state over its transient dynamics to its long time asymptotic evolution. First, we discuss basic aims of transport theories to motivate the introduction of the NGF techniques. Second, this article summarizes the present view on construction of the electron transport equations formulated within the NGF approach to nonequilibrium. We discuss incorporation of complex initial conditions to the NGF formalism, and the NGF reconstruction theorem, which serves as a tool to derive simplified kinetic equations. Three stages of evolution of the nonequilibrium, the first described by the full NGF description, the second by a non-Markovian generalized master equation and the third by a Markovian master equation will be related to each other.

International Journal of Modern Physics BJul 7, 201425 citations

Exact quantum transport in non-Markovian open Gaussian systems

Guglielmo Pellitteri, Vittorio Giovannetti, Vasco Cavina

We build an exact framework to evaluate heat, energy, and particle transport between Gaussian reservoirs mediated by a quadratic quantum system. By combining full counting statistics with newly developed non-Markovian master equation approaches, we introduce an effective master equation whose solution can be used to generate arbitrary moments of the heat statistics for any number of reservoirs. This theory applies equally to fermionic and bosonic systems, holds at arbitrarily strong coupling, and resolves out-of-equilibrium transient dynamics determined by the system's initial state. In the steady-state, weak-coupling limit, we recover results analogous to those of the well-known Landauer-Büttiker formalism. We conclude our discussion by demonstrating an application of the method to a prototypical fermionic system. Our results uncover a regime of transient negative heat conductance contingent upon the initial system preparation, providing a clear signature of non-trivial out-of-equilibrium dynamics.

quant-pharXiv:2602.21190Physical review. B./Physical review. BFeb 25, 20260 citations

Electron Systems Out of Equilibrium: Nonequilibrium Green's Function Approach

Václav Špička, Bedřich Velicky´, Anděla Kalvová

This review deals with the state of the art and perspectives of description of nonequi-librium many-body systems using the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NGF) method. The basic aim is to describe time evolution of the many-body system from its initial state over its transient dynamics to its long time asymptotic evolution. First, we discuss basic aims of transport theories to motivate the introduction of the NGF techniques. Second, this article summarizes the present view on construction of the electron transport equations formulated within the NGF approach to nonequilibrium. We discuss incorporation of complex initial conditions to the NGF formalism, and the NGF reconstruction theorem, which serves as a tool to derive simplified kinetic equations. Three stages of evolution of the nonequilibrium, the first described by the full NGF description,the second by a non-Markovian generalized master equation and the third by a Markovianmaster equation will be related to each other.

WORLD SCIENTIFIC eBooksSep 28, 20141 citation

Interplay of Quantum Coherence and Nonequilibrium Quantum Transport: An Exact Density Matrix Formulation in the Heisenberg Framework

Saikumar Krithivasan, Thingujam Yaiphalemba Meitei, Arijit Sen +1 more

We aim to bridge the gap between quantum coherence, quantum correlations, and nonequilibrium quantum transport in a quantum double-dot (QDD) system interacting with fermionic reservoirs. The system-reservoir coupling is modeled using a Fano-Anderson-type Hamiltonian. The density operator elements of the QDD system are expressed in terms of expectation values involving various combinations of the fermionic creation and annihilation operators associated with the system. By utilizing the quantum Langevin equation and the Heisenberg equation of motion, we derive the precise temporal behavior of these operator averages in terms of nonequilibrium Green's functions and subsequently obtain the time evolution of the density operator elements. Our approach is valid in both the strong coupling and non-Markovian regimes. Additionally, we examine the time evolution of quantum coherence in the QDD system, quantifying it using standard measures such as the l1-norm and the relative entropy of coherence. As observed, coherence reaches a non-zero steady-state value, highlighting its significant potential for applications in quantum information processing and quantum technologies. Furthermore, we establish a connection between quantum coherence and transport current in a QDD system serially coupled to fermionic reservoirs. We then investigate the effects of coupling strength and reservoir memory by tuning the finite spectral width of the reservoir, examining their impact on both transient and steady-state properties, such as quantum coherence and particle current, which could play a crucial role in ultrafast nanodevice applications.

arXiv:2502.12105Feb 17, 20250 citations