Non-Markovian transmission through two quantum dots connected by a continuum

We consider a transport setup that contains a double-dot connected by a continuum. Via an exact solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation, we demonstrate a highly non-Markovian quantum-coherence-mediated transport through this dot–continuum–dot (DCD) system, which is in contrast with the common premise since in typical case a quantum particle does not reenter the system of interest once it irreversibly decayed into a continuum (such as the spontaneous emission of a photon). We also find that this DCD system supports an unusual steady state with unequal source and drain currents, owing to electrons irreversibly entering the continuum and floating there.