Vertically coupled double quantum rings at zero magnetic field

Within local-spin-density functional theory, we have investigated the ¿dissociation¿ of few-electron circular vertical semiconductor double quantum ring artificial molecules at zero magnetic field as a function of interring distance. In a first step, the molecules are constituted by two identical qu...

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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Malet i Giralt, Francesc, Barranco Gómez, Manuel, Lipparini, Enrico, Mayol Sánchez, Ricardo, Pi Pericay, Martí, Climente, J. I., Planelles, Josep (Planelles Fuster)
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2006
Country:España
Institution:Universidad de Barcelona
Repository:Dipòsit Digital de la UB
OAI Identifier:oai:diposit.ub.edu:2445/10568
Online Access:https://hdl.handle.net/2445/10568
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:Semiconductors
Estructura electrònica
Electrònica quàntica
Electronic structure
Quantum electronics
Description
Summary:Within local-spin-density functional theory, we have investigated the ¿dissociation¿ of few-electron circular vertical semiconductor double quantum ring artificial molecules at zero magnetic field as a function of interring distance. In a first step, the molecules are constituted by two identical quantum rings. When the rings are quantum mechanically strongly coupled, the electronic states are substantially delocalized, and the addition energy spectra of the artificial molecule resemble those of a single quantum ring in the few-electron limit. When the rings are quantum mechanically weakly coupled, the electronic states in the molecule are substantially localized in one ring or the other, although the rings can be electrostatically coupled. The effect of a slight mismatch introduced in the molecules from nominally identical quantum wells, or from changes in the inner radius of the constituent rings, induces localization by offsetting the energy levels in the quantum rings. This plays a crucial role in the appearance of the addition spectra as a function of coupling strength particularly in the weak coupling limit.