Number-resolved master equation approach to quantum measurement and quantum transport

In addition to the well-known Landauer–Büttiker scattering theory and the nonequilibrium Green’s function technique for mesoscopic transports, an alternative (and very useful) scheme is quantum master equation approach. In this article, we review the particle-number (n)-resolved master equation (n-ME) approach and its systematic applications in quantum measurement and quantum transport problems. The n-ME contains rich dynamical information, allowing efficient study of topics such as shot noise and full counting statistics analysis. Moreover, we also review a newly developed master equation approach (and its n-resolved version) under self-consistent Born approximation. The application potential of this new approach is critically examined via its ability to recover the exact results for noninteracting systems under arbitrary voltage and in presence of strong quantum interference, and the challenging non-equilibrium Kondo effect.     

聚噻吩单链量子热输运的第一性原理研究

聚噻吩块体通常被视为绝热材料,其热导率小于1W·m~(-1)·K~(-1).但近年发现对于室温下沿聚噻吩分子链方向排列的无定形聚噻吩纳米纤维,其热导率高于聚噻吩块体,可达4.4W·m~(-1)·K~(-1).为了相对准确地揭示纳米尺度聚噻吩单链热输运的微观特征,从量子力学出发,在密度泛函理论计算的基础上,应用中间插入延展方法结合非平衡格林函数方法,对长度为25.107nm、包含448个原子的聚噻吩单链的量子热输运及其同位素效应进行了研究,并与分子动力学方法模拟的结果进行了详细比较.结果表明:室温下32 nm长的纯聚噻吩单链热导率上限高达30.2 W·m~(-1)·K~(-1),与铅的热导率35 W·m~(-1).K~(-1)相近;相同掺杂比例(原子百分数)下C元素热导的同位素效应比S元素显著;室温下聚噻吩单链中~(12)C,~(13)C等比例随机掺杂时的同位素效应最为显著,此时聚噻吩单链的平均热导至少降低了30%;室温下纯聚噻吩单链的热导随C的相对原子质量增加近似呈反比例减小,随S的相对原子质量增加呈非线性单调增加.该研究对认识和调控聚噻吩这种新型功能材料的热输运特性具有积极的价值.     

Time-dependent density functional theory for quantum transport

The rapid miniaturization of electronic devices motivates research interests in quantum transport. Recently time-dependent quantum transport has become an important research topic. Here we review recent progresses in the development of time-dependent density-functional theory for quantum transport including the theoretical foundation and numerical algorithms. In particular, the reducedsingle electron density matrix based hierarchical equation of motion, which can be derived from Liouville–von Neumann equation, is reviewed in details. The numerical implementation is discussed and simulation results of realistic devices will be given.     

Exact integral operator form of the Wigner distribution-function equation in many-body quantum transport theory

A formal derivation of a generalized equation of a Wigner distribution function including all many-body effects and all scattering mechanisms is given. The result is given in integral operator form suitable for application to the numerical modeling of quantum tunneling and quantum interference solid state devices. In the absence of scattering and many-body effects, the result reduces to the noninteracting-particle Wigner distribution function equation, often used to simulate resonant tunneling devices. The derivation uses a Weyl transform technique which can easily incorporate Bloch electrons. Weyl transforms of self-energies are derived. Various simplifications of a general quantum transport equation for semiconductor device analysis and self-consistent numerical simulation of a quantum distribution function in the phase-space/frequency-time domain are discussed. Recent attempts to include collisions in the Wigner distribution-function approach to the numerical simulation of tunneling devices are clearly shown to be non-self-consistent and inaccurate; more accurate numerical simulation is needed for a deeper understanding of the effects of collision and scattering.     

Electron transport for a laser-irradiated quantum channel with Rashba spin--orbit coupling

We investigate theoretically the electron transport for a two-level quantum channel (wire) with Rashba spin--orbit coupling under the irradiation of a longitudinally-polarized external laser field at low temperatures. Using the method of equation of motion for Keldysh nonequilibrium Green function, we examine the time-averaged spin polarized conductance for the system with photon polarization parallel to the wire direction. By analytical analysis and a few numerical examples, the interplay effects of the external laser field and the Rashba spin--orbit coupling on the spin-polarized conductance for the system are demonstrated and discussed. It is found that the longitudinally-polarized laser field can adjust the spin polarization rate and produce some photon sideband resonances of the conductance for the system.     

量子点调制的一维量子波导中声学声子输运和热导

利用散射矩阵方法,比较了被一维凸形量子点、凹形量子点调制的量子线中膨胀模的声子输运和热导性质. 研究结果表明: 声子的输运概率与热导受制于量子点几何结构,具有凸形量子点结构的量子线中声子输运概率与热导K_CV大于具有凹形量子点结构的量子线中声子输运概率与热导K_CC. 两者热导之比K_CV/K_CC依赖于一维量子点的具体结构,且随着温度及主量子线与量子点横截面的边长差Δ_SL的增加而增加. 两种具有不同散射结构的一维量子线中热输运性质的区别在于凸形量子点结构中膨胀模数量总是大于凹形量子点结构中膨胀模数量的缘故. 关键词： 声学声子输运 热导 量子结构     

聚乙烯单链量子热输运的同位素效应

高分子导热材料的有效调控受到了日益广泛的关注.应用密度泛函理论(DFT)、中央插入延展(central insertion scheme,CIS)方法及非平衡格林函数(NEGF)理论,对包含432个原子、长18.533 nm的聚乙烯单链量子热输运的同位素效应进行了研究.计算结果表明,室温下长100 nm的纯12C聚乙烯单链的热导率理论上限高达314.1 W·m~(-1)·K~(-1);对于~(12)C聚乙烯单链,其他条件一定时,~(14)C掺杂引起的热导同位素效应比~(13)C更为显著;室温下纯~(12)C聚乙烯单链中~(14)C掺杂原子百分数为50%时同位素效应最显著,此时平均热导比未掺杂时下降了51%.这对探索聚乙烯材料热输运的同位素影响机理具有十分积极的意义.     

含双T形量子结构的量子波导中声学声子输运和热导

采用散射矩阵方法, 研究了含双T形量子结构的量子波导中声学声子输运和热导性质. 结果表明: 在极低温度, 双T形量子结构能增强低温热导; 相反地, 在相对较高的温度范围, 双T形量子结构能降低低温热导. 而在整个低温范围内, 增加散射区域最窄处的宽度能增强低温热导. 计算结果表明可以通过调节含双T形量子结构的量子波导结构来调控声子的输运概率和热导. 关键词： 声学声子输运 热导 量子结构     

多通道石墨纳米带中弹性声学声子输运和热导特性

采用非平衡格林函数方法, 在保持总的能量输出通道中石墨链数不变的条件下, 研究并比较了并列的石墨纳米带通道中弹性声学声子输运和热导特性. 结果表明, 能量输出通道的增加能降低每个能量输出通道的热导; 与能量输入热库最近的能量输出通道热导最大, 最远的能量输出通道热导最小; 中间能量输出通道的热导性质与并列的各输出通道的结构参数密切相关, 最近和最远的能量输出通道的热导性质仅与各自能量输出通道的结构参数有关; 粗糙边缘结构能有效调节各通道的热导; 总的热导性质与能量输出通道石墨链数、能量输出通道数以及边缘结构粗糙程度密切相关.     

低温下多通道量子结构中的弹性声子输运和热导

利用弹性近似模型和散射矩阵方法,研究了低温下多通道量子结构中的弹性声学声子输运的性质. 计算结果表明,对于低频声学声子,只要通道的横向宽度相同,各通道中最低阶模的透射概率几乎不受其他结构参数的影响,且其数值都接近于0.25;而高频声学声子在各通道中的透射概率与结构参数密切相关,不同通道中的透射概率不同;当温度非常低时,各通道的热导都接近于量子化热导π²k²_BT/(3h)的四分之一;随着温度的升高,各通道的热导增减 关键词： 声学声子输运 热导 量子结构     

Numerical and analytical studies of nonequilibrium fluctuation-induced transport processes

We present a numerical simulation algorithm that is well suited for the study of noise-induced transport processes. The algorithm has two advantages over standard techniques: (1) it preserves the property of detailed balance for systems in equilibrium and (2) it provides an efficient method for calculating nonequilibrium currents. Numerical results are compared with exact solutions from two different types of correlation ratchets, and are used to verify the results of perturbation calculations done on a three-state ratchet.     

含半圆弧形腔的量子波导中声学声子输运和热导特性

采用散射矩阵方法,研究了在应力自由和硬壁两种典型的边界条件下含半圆弧形腔的量子波导中声学声子输运和热导性质.结果表明在两种边界条件下声子透射谱和热导有着不同的特征.在应力自由边界条件下,能观察到普适的量子化热导现象,当结构为一理想的量子线时,在低温区域有一个量子化平台出现,而当半圆弧形结构存在时,非均匀横向宽度引发的弹性散射使得量子化平台被破坏;在硬壁边界条件下,不可能观察到量子化热导现象,热导随温度的增加单调上升;计算结果表明还可以通过调节半圆弧形结构的半径来调控声子的输运概率和热导. 关键词： 声学声子输运 热导 量子体系     

Shot noise in electron transport through a double quantum dot: a master equation approach

We study shot noise in tunneling current through a double quantum dot connected to two electric leads.We derive two master equations in the occupation-state basis and the eigenstate basis to describe the electron dynamics.The approach based on the occupation-state basis,despite being widely used in many previous studies,is valid only when the interdot coupling strength is much smaller than the energy difference between the two dots.In contrast,the calculations using the eigenstate basis are valid for an arbitrary interdot coupling.Using realistic model parameters,we demonstrate that the predicted currents and shot-noise properties from the two approaches are significantly different when the interdot coupling is not small.Furthermore,properties of the shot noise predicted using the eigenstate basis successfully reproduce qualitative features found in a recent experiment.     

Optical control of spin-dependent thermal transport in a quantum ring

We report on calculation of spin-dependent thermal transport through a quantum ring with the Rashba spin-orbit interaction. The quantum ring is connected to two electron reservoirs with different temperatures. Tuning the Rashba coupling constant, degenerate energy states are formed leading to a suppression of the heat and thermoelectric currents. In addition, the quantum ring is coupled to a photon cavity with a single photon mode and linearly polarized photon field. In a resonance regime, when the photon energy is approximately equal to the energy spacing between two lowest degenerate states of the ring, the polarized photon field can significantly control the heat and thermoelectric currents in the system. The roles of the number of photon initially in the cavity, and electron–photon coupling strength on spin-dependent heat and thermoelectric currents are presented.     

Nonequilibrium Green’s function method for quantum thermal transport

This review deals with the nonequilibrium Green’s function (NEGF) method applied to the problems of energy transport due to atomic vibrations (phonons), primarily for small junction systems. We present a pedagogical introduction to the subject, deriving some of the well-known results such as the Laudauer-like formula for heat current in ballistic systems. The main aim of the review is to build the machinery of the method so that it can be applied to other situations, which are not directly treated here. In addition to the above, we consider a number of applications of NEGF, not in routine model system calculations, but in a few new aspects showing the power and usefulness of the formalism. In particular, we discuss the problems of multiple leads, coupled left-right-lead system, and system without a center. We also apply the method to the problem of full counting statistics. In the case of nonlinear systems, we make general comments on the thermal expansion effect, phonon relaxation time, and a certain class of mean-field approximations. Lastly, we examine the relationship between NEGF, reduced density matrix, and master equation approaches to thermal transport.     

Crossover from quantum to classical transport

Understanding the crossover from quantum to classical transport has become of fundamental importance not only for technological applications due to the creation of sub-10-nm transistors – an important building block of our modern life – but also for elucidating the role played by quantum mechanics in the evolutionary fitness of biological complexes. This article provides a basic introduction into the nature of charge and energy transport in the quantum and classical regimes. It discusses the characteristic transport properties in both limits and demonstrates how they can be connected through the loss of quantum mechanical coherence. The salient features of the crossover physics are identified, and their importance in opening new transport regimes and in understanding efficient and robust energy transport in biological complexes are demonstrated.     

低维纳米材料量子热输运与自旋热电性质 ——非平衡格林函数方法的应用

低维材料不断涌现的新奇性质吸引着科学研究者的目光. 除了电子的量子输运行为之外, 人们也陆续发现和确认了热输运中显著的量子行为, 如 热导低温量子化、声子子带、尺寸效应、瓶颈效应等. 这些小尺度体系的热输运性质可以很好地用非平衡格林函数来描述. 本文首先介绍了量子热输运的特性、声子非平衡格林函数方法及其在低维纳米材料中的研究进展; 其次回顾了近年来在 一系列低维材料中发现的热-自旋输运现象. 这些自旋热学现象展现了全新的热电转换机制, 有助于设计新型的热电转换器件, 同时也给出了用热产生自旋流的新途径; 最后介绍了线性响应理论以及在此理论框架下结合声子、电子非平衡格林函数方法进行的一些有益的探索. 量子热输运的研究对热效应基础研究以及声子学器件、能量转换器件的发展有着不可替代的重要作用.     

Quantum feedback control: how to use verification theorems and viscosity solutions to find optimal protocols

While feedback control has many applications in quantum systems, finding optimal control protocols for this task is generally challenging. So-called ‘verification theorems’ and ‘viscosity solutions’ provide two useful tools for this purpose: together they give a simple method to check whether any given protocol is optimal, and provide a numerical method for finding optimal protocols. While treatments of verification theorems usually use sophisticated mathematical language, this is not necessary. In this article we give a simple introduction to feedback control in quantum systems, and then describe verification theorems and viscosity solutions in simple language. We also illustrate their use with a concrete example of current interest.     

A stochastic approach to hopping transport in semiconductors

Generalized charge carrier equations for hopping transport in semiconductors are derived which include also the widely used Van Roosbroeck equations. The approach is based on a microscopic stochastic interacting particle system which models the hopping of electrons on a random set of states.