On the construction of transition rates in high-field quantum transport theories

Abstract

The construction of scattering rates in high-field (1973) quantum transport theories is critically discussed in the light of a recent paper by Marsh (1973) and Inkson (1984). The outstanding discrepancy in the literature between the works of Barker (1973) and Thornber (1978), and Herbert and Till (1982) is resolved using time-dependent perturbation theory and a self-consistent Wigner function analysis, which pinpoints the source of the confusion to the lack of a unique definition for a transition rate in high-field quantum transport theories. On the basis of these arguments it is concluded that the analysis of Marsh and Inkson is incorrect. The nature of wavepacket scattering in small devices is also discussed.