Phonon-induced electron localization and magnetic-field effects in a double quantum dot

Resonant tunneling of an electron through a double quantum dot is studied in the presence of phonon scattering and magnetic field. The coupled time-dependent Schrödinger equations for an electron and longitudinal-optical phonons are solved numerically within a mean-field approximation. Phonon-induced electron localization is observed. A magnetic field reduces the buildup time of electron probability density in the dots, but increases the decay time associated with the resonant tunneling. Inelastic processes increase the decay time, but their effect on the buildup time depends on the strength of the magnetic field.