Finite-temperature evaluation of the Fermi density operator

A rational expansion of the Fermi density operator is proposed. This approach allows to calculate efficiently physical properties of fermionic systems at finite temperatures without solving an eigenvalue problem. Using N evaluations of the Green's function, the Fermi density operator can be approximated, subject to a given precision, in the energy interval from -A to infinity with A proportional to N. The presented method may become especially useful for electronic structure calculations involving the calculation of charge densities.Comment: 6 pages, 4 Postscript figures, submitted to J. Comp. Phy

Quantum transport and momentum conserving dephasing

We study numerically the influence of momentum-conserving dephasing on the transport in a disordered chain of scatterers. Loss of phase memory is caused by coupling the transport channels to dephasing reservoirs. In contrast to previously used models, the dephasing reservoirs are linked to the transport channels between the scatterers, and momentum conserving dephasing can be investigated. Our setup provides a model for nanosystems exhibiting conductance quantization at higher temperatures in spite of the presence of phononic interaction. We are able to confirm numerically some theoretical predictions.Comment: 7 pages, 4 figure