Scattering in Si-nanowires — Where does it matter?

Electron transport is computed in 3nm Si nanowires subject to incoherent scattering from phonons. The electronic structure of the nanowire is represented in an atomistic sp3d5s* tight binding basis. Phonon modes are computed in an atomistic valence force field rather than a continuum deformation potential. Atomistic transport and incoherent scattering are coupled through the non-equilibrium Green function formalism (NEGF) in our new OMEN simulator. Energy loss due to phonon emission is shown to lead to a resistive potential drop in the emitter of the nanowire. Phonon absorption is shown to increase the current in a band-to-band-tunneling configuration.