Charge transport in carbon nanotubes: quantum effects of electron-phonon coupling

This review deals with the role of electron-phonon (e-ph) coupling in quantum transport of carbon nanotubes. First, the case of low-energy phonons and weak localization phenomena is addressed, followed by a summary of inelastic scattering lengths within the Fermi golden rule. A second part outlines the contribution of high-energy optic phonon modes, and discusses the applicability limits of semi-classical transport theory. The computational methodologies used to deepen the phonon-induced dephasing or inelastic transmission range from the time-dependent Schroedinger equation and Kubo framework to a novel many-body treatment of e-ph interaction. (topical review)