Bohm trajectories for the Monte Carlo simulation of quantum-based devices

A generalization of the classical ensemble Monte Carlo (MC) device simulation technique is proposed to simultaneously deal with quantum-mechanical phase-coherence effects and scattering interactions in quantum-based devices. The proposed method restricts the quantum treatment of transport to the regions of the device where the potential profile significantly changes in distances of the order of the de Broglie wavelength of the carriers (the quantum window). Bohm trajectories associated to time-dependent Gaussian wave packets are used to simulate the electron transport in the quantum window. Outside this window, the classical ensemble MC simulation technique is used. Classical and quantum trajectories are smoothly matched at the boundaries of the quantum window according to a criterium of total-energy conservation. A self-consistent one-dimensional simulator for resonant tunneling diodes has been developed to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal. © 1998 American Institute of Physics.