Time-dependent Landauer-B\"uttiker formula for transient dynamics

Abstract

We solve analytically the Kadanoff-Baym equations for a noninteracting junction connected to an arbitrary number of noninteracting wide-band terminals. The initial equilibrium state is properly described by the addition of an imaginary track to the time contour. From the solution we obtain the time-dependent electron densities and currents within the junction. The final results are analytic expressions as a function of time, and therefore no time propagation is needed - either in transient or in steady-state regimes. We further present and discuss some applications of the obtained formulae.