Quantum Monte Carlo Simulation of Tunneling Devices Using Bohm Trajectories

A generalization of the classical Monte Carlo (MC) device simulation technique is proposed to simultaneously deal with quantum-mechanical phase-coherence effects and scattering interactions in tunneling 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 wavepackets are used to simulate the electron transport in the quantum window. Outside this window, the classical ensemble 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 simple one-dimensional simulator for resonant tunneling diodes is presented to demonstrate the feasibility of our proposal.