Abstract

A form of quantum transport theory has been developed to model the resonant-tunneling diode and similar devices. The internal state of the device is represented by the Wigner distribution function. The boundary conditions applied to the Wigner function model the open-system nature of the device by coupling it to electron reservoirs. This coupling introduces irreversibility into the model, permitting meaningful calculations of the transient response.

© 1987 Optical Society of America