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Title: Density matrix approach to photon-assisted tunneling in the transfer Hamiltonian formalism

Abstract

The transfer Hamiltonian tunneling current is derived in a time-dependent density matrix formulation and is used to examine photon-assisted tunneling. Bardeen's tunneling expression arises as the result of first-order perturbation theory in a mean-field expansion of the density matrix. Photon-assisted tunneling from confined electromagnetic fields in the forbidden tunnel barrier region occurs due to time-varying polarization and wave-function overlap in the gap which leads to a nonzero tunneling current in asymmetric device structures, even in an unbiased state. The photon energy is seen to act as an effective temperature-dependent bias in a uniform barrier asymmetric tunneling example problem. Higher-order terms in the density matrix expansion give rise to multiphoton enhanced tunneling currents that can be considered an extension of nonlinear optics where the nonlinear conductance plays a similar role as the nonlinear susceptibilities in the continuity equations.

Authors:
 [1];  [1]
  1. Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Sandia National Lab. (SNL-NM), Albuquerque, NM (United States)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA)
OSTI Identifier:
1465798
Alternate Identifier(s):
OSTI ID: 1420017
Report Number(s):
SAND-2017-11873J
Journal ID: ISSN 2469-9950; PRBMDO; 663116; TRN: US1902559
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC04-94AL85000; NA0003525
Resource Type:
Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Physical Review B
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 97; Journal Issue: 7; Journal ID: ISSN 2469-9950
Publisher:
American Physical Society (APS)
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
72 PHYSICS OF ELEMENTARY PARTICLES AND FIELDS

Citation Formats

Davids, Paul S., and Shank, Joshua. Density matrix approach to photon-assisted tunneling in the transfer Hamiltonian formalism. United States: N. p., 2018. Web. doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.97.075411.
Davids, Paul S., & Shank, Joshua. Density matrix approach to photon-assisted tunneling in the transfer Hamiltonian formalism. United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.075411
Davids, Paul S., and Shank, Joshua. Fri . "Density matrix approach to photon-assisted tunneling in the transfer Hamiltonian formalism". United States. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.97.075411. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1465798.
@article{osti_1465798,
title = {Density matrix approach to photon-assisted tunneling in the transfer Hamiltonian formalism},
author = {Davids, Paul S. and Shank, Joshua},
abstractNote = {The transfer Hamiltonian tunneling current is derived in a time-dependent density matrix formulation and is used to examine photon-assisted tunneling. Bardeen's tunneling expression arises as the result of first-order perturbation theory in a mean-field expansion of the density matrix. Photon-assisted tunneling from confined electromagnetic fields in the forbidden tunnel barrier region occurs due to time-varying polarization and wave-function overlap in the gap which leads to a nonzero tunneling current in asymmetric device structures, even in an unbiased state. The photon energy is seen to act as an effective temperature-dependent bias in a uniform barrier asymmetric tunneling example problem. Higher-order terms in the density matrix expansion give rise to multiphoton enhanced tunneling currents that can be considered an extension of nonlinear optics where the nonlinear conductance plays a similar role as the nonlinear susceptibilities in the continuity equations.},
doi = {10.1103/PhysRevB.97.075411},
journal = {Physical Review B},
number = 7,
volume = 97,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Feb 09 00:00:00 EST 2018},
month = {Fri Feb 09 00:00:00 EST 2018}
}

Journal Article:

Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 7 works
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Figures / Tables:

FIG. 1. FIG. 1.: Illustration transfer interaction for a simple 1D potential barrier. (a) The schematic shows the right and left wave functions, $\phi$$k$ and $\psi$$q$, respectively. These become evanescent in the potential barrier region. The overlap in this region leads to the tunneling current. (b) Energy level diagram showing the onemore » photon tunneling process at zero bias. The quasiparticle occupancy of the left and right half-spaces are shown schematically. The schematic impact of applying a bias (dashed black lines) leads to shift in the bands on the right side of the barrier with a spatially varying potential in the barrier.« less

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Figures / Tables found in this record:

    Figures/Tables have been extracted from DOE-funded journal article accepted manuscripts.