Effect of quantum confinement on exciton-phonon interactions

We investigate the homogeneous linewidth of localized type-I excitons in type-II GaAs/AlAs superlattices. These localizing centers represent the intermediate case between quasi-two-dimensional (Q2D) and quasi-zero-dimensional localizations. The temperature dependence of the homogeneous linewidth is obtained with high precision from micro-photoluminescence spectra. We confirm the reduced interaction of the excitons with their environment with decreasing dimensionality except for the coupling to LO-phonons. The low-temperature limit for the linewidth of these localized excitons is five times smaller than that of Q2D excitons. The coefficient of exciton-acoustic-phonon interaction is 5 ~ 6 times smaller than that of Q2D excitons. An enhancement of the average exciton-LO-phonon interaction by localization is found in our sample. But this interaction is very sensitive to the detailed structure of the localizing centers.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Single and vertically coupled type II quantum dots in a perpendicular magnetic field: exciton groundstate properties

The properties of an exciton in a type II quantum dot are studied under the influence of a perpendicular applied magnetic field. The dot is modelled by a quantum disk with radius $R$, thickness $d$ and the electron is confined in the disk, whereas the hole is located in the barrier. The exciton energy and wavefunctions are calculated using a Hartree-Fock mesh method. We distinguish two different regimes, namely $d<<2R$ (the hole is located at the radial boundary of the disk) and $d>>2R$ (the hole is located above and below the disk), for which angular momentum $(l)$ transitions are predicted with increasing magnetic field. We also considered a system of two vertically coupled dots where now an extra parameter is introduced, namely the interdot distance $d_{z}$. For each $l_{h}$ and for a sufficient large magnetic field, the ground state becomes spontaneous symmetry broken in which the electron and the hole move towards one of the dots. This transition is induced by the Coulomb interaction and leads to a magnetic field induced dipole moment. No such symmetry broken ground states are found for a single dot (and for three vertically coupled symmetric quantum disks). For a system of two vertically coupled truncated cones, which is asymmetric from the start, we still find angular momentum transitions. For a symmetric system of three vertically coupled quantum disks, the system resembles for small $d_{z}$ the pillar-like regime of a single dot, where the hole tends to stay at the radial boundary, which induces angular momentum transitions with increasing magnetic field. For larger $d_{z}$ the hole can sit between the disks and the $l_{h}=0$ state remains the groundstate for the whole $B$-region.Comment: 11 pages, 16 figure

Multiband theory of multi-exciton complexes in self-assembled quantum dots

We report on a multiband microscopic theory of many-exciton complexes in self-assembled quantum dots. The single particle states are obtained by three methods: single-band effective-mass approximation, the multiband $k\cdot p$ method, and the tight-binding method. The electronic structure calculations are coupled with strain calculations via Bir-Pikus Hamiltonian. The many-body wave functions of $N$ electrons and $N$ valence holes are expanded in the basis of Slater determinants. The Coulomb matrix elements are evaluated using statically screened interaction for the three different sets of single particle states and the correlated $N$-exciton states are obtained by the configuration interaction method. The theory is applied to the excitonic recombination spectrum in InAs/GaAs self-assembled quantum dots. The results of the single-band effective-mass approximation are successfully compared with those obtained by using the of $k\cdot p$ and tight-binding methods.Comment: 10 pages, 8 figure

Theoretical study of finite temperature spectroscopy in van der Waals clusters. I. Probing phase changes in CaAr_n

The photoabsorption spectra of calcium-doped argon clusters CaAr_n are investigated at thermal equilibrium using a variety of theoretical and numerical tools. The influence of temperature on the absorption spectra is estimated using the quantum superposition method for a variety of cluster sizes in the range 6<=n<=146. At the harmonic level of approximation, the absorption intensity is calculated through an extension of the Gaussian theory by Wadi and Pollak [J. Chem. Phys. vol 110, 11890 (1999)]. This theory is tested on simple, few-atom systems in both the classical and quantum regimes for which highly accurate Monte Carlo data can be obtained. By incorporating quantum anharmonic corrections to the partition functions and respective weights of the isomers, we show that the superposition method can correctly describe the finite-temperature spectroscopic properties of CaAr_n systems. The use of the absorption spectrum as a possible probe of isomerization or phase changes in the argon cluster is discussed at the light of finite-size effects.Comment: 17 pages, 9 figure

Formation and stability of self-assembled coherent islands in highly mismatched heteroepitaxy

We study the energetics of island formation in Stranski-Krastanow growth within a parameter-free approach. It is shown that an optimum island size exists for a given coverage and island density if changes in the wetting layer morphology after the 3D transition are properly taken into account. Our approach reproduces well the experimental island size dependence on coverage, and indicates that the critical layer thickness depends on growth conditions. The present study provides a new explanation for the (frequently found) rather narrow size distribution of self-assembled coherent islands.Comment: 4 pages, 5 figures, In print, Phys. Rev. Lett. Other related publications can be found at http://www.fhi-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

Equilibrium shapes and energies of coherent strained InP islands

The equilibrium shapes and energies of coherent strained InP islands grown on GaP have been investigated with a hybrid approach that has been previously applied to InAs islands on GaAs. This combines calculations of the surface energies by density functional theory and the bulk deformation energies by continuum elasticity theory. The calculated equilibrium shapes for different chemical environments exhibit the {101}, {111}, {\=1\=1\=1} facets and a (001) top surface. They compare quite well with recent atomic-force microscopy data. Thus in the InP/GaInP-system a considerable equilibration of the individual islands with respect to their shapes can be achieved. We discuss the implications of our results for the Ostwald ripening of the coherent InP islands. In addition we compare strain fields in uncapped and capped islands.Comment: 10 pages including 6 figures. Submitted to Phys. Rev. B. Related publications can be found at http://www.fhi-berlin.mpg.de/th/paper.htm

Resonant nature of phonon-induced damping of Rabi oscillations in quantum dots

Optically controlled coherent dynamics of charge (excitonic) degrees of freedom in a semiconductor quantum dot under the influence of lattice dynamics (phonons) is discussed theoretically. We show that the dynamics of the lattice response in the strongly non-linear regime is governed by a semiclassical resonance between the phonon modes and the optically driven dynamics. We stress on the importance of the stability of intermediate states for the truly coherent control.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figures; final version; moderate changes, new titl

Entanglement of single-photons and chiral phonons in atomically thin WSe2_2

Quantum entanglement is a fundamental phenomenon which, on the one hand, reveals deep connections between quantum mechanics, gravity and the space-time; on the other hand, has practical applications as a key resource in quantum information processing. While it is routinely achieved in photon-atom ensembles, entanglement involving the solid-state or macroscopic objects remains challenging albeit promising for both fundamental physics and technological applications. Here, we report entanglement between collective, chiral vibrations in two-dimensional (2D) WSe$_2$ host --- chiral phonons (CPs) --- and single-photons emitted from quantum dots (QDs) present in it. CPs which carry angular momentum were recently observed in WSe$_2$ and are a distinguishing feature of the underlying honeycomb lattice. The entanglement results from a "which-way" scattering process, involving an optical excitation in a QD and doubly-degenerate CPs, which takes place via two indistinguishable paths. Our unveiling of entanglement involving a macroscopic, collective excitation together with strong interaction between CPs and QDs in 2D materials opens up ways for phonon-driven entanglement of QDs and engineering chiral or non-reciprocal interactions at the single-photon level

Learning Behavioural Context

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