We formulate a quantum theory of electron waiting time distributions for charge transport in nanostructures described by non-Markovian generalized master equations. We illustrate our method by calculating the waiting time distribution of electron transport through a dissipative double quantum dot, where memory effects are present due to a strongly coupled heat bath. We consider the influence of non-Markovian dephasing on the distribution of electron waiting times and discuss how spectral properties of the heat bath may be detected through measurements of the electron waiting time.

• Received 26 November 2012

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.87.121405