Transport through semiconductor quantum systems in the R-matrix formalism

Abstract The R -matrix method can be used to reduce computing times for the calculation of transmission probabilities in mesoscopic semiconductor systems. We generalize results by Smrcka for strictly one-dimensional transport to systems which show confinement in more dimensions like a point contact. The formalism is applied to a tunneling barrier with a Kronig–Penney-type potential modulation in lateral direction. In the limit of very high barriers we find resonances which are created by the mismatch of the wavefunctions inside and outside the barrier.