A transfer Hamiltonian approach for an arbitrary quantum dot array in the self-consistent field regime

Abstract

A transport methodology to study electron transport between quantum dot arrays based on the transfer Hamiltonian approach is presented. The interactions between the quantum dots and between the quantum dots and the electrodes are introduced via transition rates and capacitive couplings. The effects of the local potential are computed within the self-consistent field regime. The model has been developed and expressed in a matrix form in order to make it extendable to larger systems. Transport through several quantum dot configurations has been studied in order to validate the model. Despite the simplicity of the model, well-known effects are satisfactorily reproduced and explained. The results qualitatively agree with other results obtained using more complex theoretical approaches.