An Accurate Re-formulation of the Wigner Function Method for Quantum Transport Modeling

Abstract

The Wigner function is a promising method for including such effects as time dependence, self consistency, and inelastic scattering in quantum transport calculations, However, issues regarding the accuracy and consistency of the method need to be resolved. This paper presents a numerical method for determining the Wigner function which is derived from an accurate discretization of the Schrodinger equation. All of the density matrix information is preserved in this method, rather than half, as in previous methods. Results of self-consistent calculations under low bias conditions are presented. Further work must be done on the proper formulation of scattering rates and to determine the device dimensions and k-space discretizations that are required for realistic quantum device calculations.