Inelastic resonant tunneling through single molecules and quantum dots: spectrum modification due to nonequilibrium effects

Abstract

Resonant electron transport through a mesoscopic region (quantum dot or single molecule) with electron-phonon interaction is considered at finite voltage. In this case the standard Landauer-B\"uttiker approach cannot be applied. Using the nonequilibrium Green function method we show that due to a nonequilibrium distribution function of electrons in the mesoscopic region, the inelastic scattering rate and spectral function of the dot become functions of the voltage and have to be calculated self-consistently.