Quantum transport in driven systems with vibrations: Floquet nonequilibrium Green's functions and the self-consistent Born approximation

We investigate the effects of alternating voltage on nonequilibrium quantum systems with localized phonon modes. Nonequilibrium Green's functions are utilized, with electron-phonon coupling being considered with the GD approximation (self-consistent Born approximation). Using a Floquet approach, we assume periodicity of the dynamics. This approach allows us to investigate the influence of the driven electronic component on the nonequilibrium occupation of the vibrations. It was found that signatures of inelastic transport gained photon-assisted peaks. A simplistic model was proposed and found to be in good agreement with the full model in certain parameter ranges. Moreover, it was found that driving the alternating current at resonance with vibrational frequencies caused an increase in phonon occupation.

Automated summary

We investigate the effects of alternating voltage on nonequilibrium quantum systems with localized phonon modes using the Floquet approach. It was found that inelastic transport gained photon-assisted peaks and driving the alternating current at resonance with vibrational frequencies caused an increase in phonon occupation. The simplistic model proposed showed good agreement with the full model in certain parameter ranges.