This paper presents a direct solution to the time-dependent Schrodinger equ
ation describing electron scattering in nano structures. This approach prov
ides complete quantum mechanical information on the transient state of the
system under study and can be applied to nano structures with arbitrarily c
omplex geometry. As an example, a small rectangular cavity coupled to a nan
o wire is studied in detail. Resonance behaviour is observed. (C) 2000 Else
vier Science B.V. All rights reserved.