Electronic properties of model quantum-dot structures in zero and finite magnetic fields

We have computed electronic structures and total energies of circularly confined two-dimensional quantum dots and their lateral dimers in zero and finite uniform external magnetic fields using different theoretical schemes: the spin-density-functional theory (SDFT), the current-and-spin-density-functional theory (CSDFT), and the variational quantum Monte Carlo (VMC) method. The SDFT and CSDFT calculations employ a recently-developed, symmetry-unrestricted real-space algorithm allowing solutions which break the spin symmetry. Results obtained for a six-electron dot in the weak confinement limit and in zero magnetic field as well as in a moderate confinement and in finite magnetic fields enable us to draw conclusions about the reliability of the more approximative SDFT and CSDFT schemes in comparison with the VMC method. The same is true for results obtained for the two-electron quantum dot dimer as a function of inter-dot distance. The structure and role of the symmetry-breaking solutions appearing in the SDFT and CSDFT calculations for the above systems are discussed. Received 16 October 2001 and Received in final form 17 January 2002     

Supersymmetry of FRW Barotropic Cosmologies

Barotropic FRW cosmologies are presented from the standpoint of nonrelativistic supersymmetry. First, we reduce the barotropic FRW system of differential equations to simple harmonic oscillator differential equations. Employing the factorization procedure, the solutions of the latter equations are divided into the two classes of bosonic (nonsingular) and fermionic (singular) cosmological solutions. We next introduce a coupling parameter denoted by K between the two classes of solutions and obtain barotropic cosmologies with dissipative features acting on the scale factors and spatial curvature of the universe. The K-extended FRW equations in comoving time are presented in explicit form in the low coupling regime. The standard barotropic FRW cosmologies correspond to the dissipationless limit K = 0.     

Cosmological Consequences of Scale-Related Comoving Masses for Cosmic Pressure, Mass, and Vacuum Energy Density

According to ideas of Mach, Whitrow, Dirac, or Hoyle, inertial masses of particles should not be a genuine, predetermined quantity; rather they should represent a relational quantity which by its value somehow reflects the deposition and constellation of all other objects in their cosmic environment. In this paper we want to pick up suggestions given by Thirring and by Hoyle of how, due to requirements of the equivalence of rotations and of general relativistic conformal scale invariance, the particle masses of cosmic objects should vary with the cosmic length scale. We study cosmological consequences of comoving cosmic masses which co-evolve by mass with the expansion of the universe. The vanishing of the covariant divergence of the cosmic energy-momentum tensor under the new prerequisite that matter density only falls off with the reciproke of the squared cosmic scale S(t) then leads to the astonishing result that cosmic pressuredoes not fall off adiabatically but rather falls off in a quasi-isothermal behaviour, varying with S(t) as matter density does. Hence, as a new cosmological fact, it arises that, even in the late phases of cosmic expansion, pressure cannot be neglected what concerns its gravitational action on the cosmic dynamics. We then show that under these conditions the cosmological equations can, however, only be solved if, in addition to matter, also pressure and energy density of the cosmic vacuum are included in the calculation. An unaccelerated expansion with a Hubble parameter falling off with S(t)⁻¹ is obtained for a vacuum energy density decay according to S(t)⁻² with a well-tuned proportion of matter and vacuum pressures. As it appears from these results, a universe with particle masses increasing with the cosmic sale S(t) is in fact physically conceivable in an energetically consistent manner, if vacuum energy at the expansion of the universe is converted into mass density of real matter with no net energy loss occuring. This universe in addition also happens to be an economical one which has and keeps a vanishing total energy.     

Analysis of reflectance and modulation spectroscopic lineshapes in optoelectronic device structures

We discuss the spectral lineshapes of reflectance and modulated reflectance (MR) measurements on optoelectronic device structures such as epi-layers, quantum wells (QWs), vertical-cavity surface emitting-lasers (VCSELs) and resonant-cavity light-emitting diodes (RCLEDs). We consider the various methods for the extraction of built-in electric fields and band-gap energies from Franz-Keldysh oscillations (FKO), using the example of a tensilely strained InGaAs QW system, whose InGaAsP barriers yield strong FKO. We describe how critical point transition energies can be easily obtained by eye from Kramers-Kronig (KK) transforms of low field or QW modulation spectra, using the example of the modulated transmittance spectra of dilute-nitrogen InGaAsN p-i-n structures. We also discuss how the ordinary reflectivity spectrum, usually acquired at the same time as the MR signal, may also be exploited to extract layer thicknesses and compositions, and information about the active QW absorption spectrum in VCSEL and RCLED structures.     

The role of emitter quasi-bound state and scattering on intrinsic bistability in resonant tunneling diodes

Usually, numerical self-consistent calculations predict a much larger intrinsic bistability region than actually is measured in resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs). In addition, numerical calculations have shown that scattering in the well reduces bistability. We used a unified treatment of current flowing from continuum states and emitter quasi-bound states to show numerically and analytically that not only the scattering in the quantum well but also the scattering in the emitter reduces bistability. Moreover, within the Hartree approximation, bistability occurs by tunneling resonantly between emitter quasi-bound state and well quasi-bound state as a pitchfork bifurcation.     

Wave function mapping of self-assembled quantum dots by capacitance spectroscopy

We use frequency-dependent capacitance–voltage spectroscopy to study the dynamic charging of self-assembled InAs quantum dots. With increasing frequency, the AC charging becomes suppressed, beginning with the low-energy states. By applying an in-plane magnetic field, we generate an additional magnetic confinement that alters the tunneling barrier and hence the charging dynamics. In traveling through the potential barrier, the electrons acquire an additional momentum k₀, proportional to the magnetic field B. As the tunneling is enhanced, when k₀ matches the maximum of the electronic wave function Ψ (in momentum representation), we are able to map out the shape of Ψ by varying B.     

Optical spectroscopy of single InAs/InP quantum dots around λ=1.55 μm

We discuss the preparation and spectroscopic characterisation of a single InAs/InP quantum dot suitable for long-distance quantum key distribution applications around λ=1.55 μm. The dot is prepared using a site-selective growth technique which allows a single dot to be deposited in isolation at a controlled spatial location. Micro-photoluminescence measurements as a function of exciton occupation are used to determine the electronic structure of the dot. Biexciton emission, shell filling and many-body re-normalization effects are observed for the first time in single InAs/InP quantum dots.     

Enhancement of the Kerr effect for a quantum dot in a cavity

Nonlinear susceptibility of a quantum dot (QD) embedded in a two-sided cavity, is studied theoretically from a weak-coupling to a strong-coupling regime. In the relevance of a quantum logic gate, the corresponding nonlinear phase shifts (Kerr effect) are estimated for coherent wavepackets including one photon on average. In the weak-coupling regime, the phase shift enhances strongly as a function of a coupling constant between the cavity photon and QD, and eventually saturates in the strong-coupling regime. We also show transmission spectra to evaluate the efficiency of the phase shift. Although the efficiency decreases monotonically in the weak-coupling regime, it rises in the strong-coupling regime.     

正常金属/超导/正常金属双垒隧道结中的量子相干输运

考虑到量子相干效应和界面散射效应 ,利用 L ambert理论模型 ,计算正常金属 /绝缘层 /超导 /绝缘层 /正常金属双垒隧道结中的准粒子输运系数和隧道谱。研究表明 :( 1)所有的准粒子输运系数和电导谱在超导能隙之上都随能量作周期性振荡 ,其振荡周期依赖于超导层的厚度 ;( 2 )在超导能隙之上 Andreev反射系数随能量呈现周期性消失现象 ;( 3)在绝缘层势垒强度取很大的隧道极限下 ,超导层中会形成一系列的准粒子束缚态 ,其位置由量子化条件决定 ;( 4)界面散射效应不仅能压低各子能隙电导峰 ,还能使子能隙电导峰劈裂为两个峰。