Semi-classical transport for predicting joule heating in carbon nanotubes

A method for predicting the joule heating using Monte Carlo simulation for the electron dynamics is proposed. The joule heating in (10, 10) carbon nanotubes is computed. The full energy band is utilized; however the results show that for low temperatures only the lower subband is sufficient, while for temperatures above 900 K, it is important to include all the subbands. Results are compared with a quantum mechanical integral form which uses an approximation for the electron occupation probability. There is a quantitative agreement of the results; however saturation of the heat generated observed in the integral form is not observed.