Journal of Statistical Physics, Vol. 61, Nos. 5/6, 1990. p. 1223-1256.
A formal derivation of a generalized equation of a Wigner distribution function including all many-body effects and all scattering mechanisms is given. The result is given in integral operator form suitable for application to the numerical modeling of quantum tunneling and quantum interference solid state devices. In the absence of scattering and many-body effects, the result reduces to the "noninteracting-particle" Wigner distribution function equation, often used to simulate resonant tunneling devices. The derivation uses a Weyl transform technique which can easily incorporate Bloch electrons. Weyl transforms of selfenergies are derived. Various simplifications of a general quantum transport equation for semiconductor device analysis and self-consistent numerical simulation of a quantum distribution function in the phase-space/frequency-time domain are discussed. Recent attempts to include collisions in the Wigner distribution-function approach to the numerical simulation of tunneling devices are clearly shown to be non-self-consistent and inaccurate; more accurate numerical simulation is needed for a deeper understanding of the effects of collision and scattering.