Hierarchical Quantum Master Equation Approach to Electronic-Vibrational Coupling in Nonequilibrium Transport through Nanosystems

Abstract: Within the hierarchical quantum master equation (HQME) framework, an approach is presented, which allows a numerically exact description of nonequilibrium charge transport in nanosystems with strong electronic-vibrational coupling. The method is applied to a generic model of vibrationally coupled transport considering a broad spectrum of parameters ranging from the nonadiabatic to the adiabatic regime and including both resonant and off-resonant transport. We show that nonequilibrium effects are important in all these regimes. In particular in the off-resonant transport regime, the inelastic co-tunneling signal is analyzed for a vibrational mode in full nonequilibrium, revealing a complex interplay of different transport processes and deviations from the commonly used $G_0/2$-thumb-rule. In addition, the HQME-approach is used to benchmark approximate master equation and nonequilibrium Green's function methods.