The Wigner function for electron transport in mesoscopic systems

1999/07/22 by Andrea Bertoni, Paolo Bordone, R. Brunetti +1 · 1 voice · 1 citation
Engineering · Physics and Astronomy · #Advancements in Semiconductor Devices and Circuit Design #Molecular Junctions and Nanostructures #Quantum and electron transport phenomena

paper · doi:10.1088/0953-8984/11/31/308

openalex publication_date 1999/07/22 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/30

Abstract

The Wigner-function approach to the quantum theory of electron transport in mesoscopic systems is reviewed. Delta-like or `particle' contributions to the Wigner function are introduced that evolve in time along `paths' formed by ballistic free flights separated by scattering processes like semiclassical particles. A Monte Carlo algorithm can be developed, based on such Wigner paths. Furthermore, a two-time Green function G < can be used to define a Wigner function where momentum and energy are treated as independent variables. The same Monte Carlo approach would then also yield the spectral function for the electron interacting with the phonon gas.

Citations

• Distribution functions in physics: Fundamentals
• On the Quantum Correction For Thermodynamic Equilibrium

Cited by

• Phase-space modelling of solid-state plasmas

Discussions

• Extended reply to the last comment: profuse apologies I lack the time and gumption to condense any of the semiclassical limits below to a short pedagogical answer. In your shoes, I might focus on the [stackexchange, 1 points]

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