499 research outputs found
Theory of nonlinear optical response of ensembles of double quantum dots
We study theoretically the time-resolved four-wave mixing (FWM) response of
an ensemble of pairs of quantum dots undergoing radiative recombination. At
short (picosecond) delay times, the response signal shows beats that may be
dominated by the subensemble of resonant pairs, which gives access to the
information on the interdot coupling. At longer delay times, the decay of the
FWM signal is governed by two rates which result from the collective
interaction between the two dots and the radiation modes. The two rates
correspond to the subradiant and super-radiant components in the radiative
decay. Coupling between the dots enhances the collective effects and makes them
observable even when the average energy mismatch between the dots is relatively
large.Comment: 8 pages, 3 figures; moderately modifie
Size-dependent fine-structure splitting in self-organized InAs/GaAs quantum dots
A systematic variation of the exciton fine-structure splitting with quantum
dot size in single InAs/GaAs quantum dots grown by metal-organic chemical vapor
deposition is observed. The splitting increases from -80 to as much as 520
eV with quantum dot size. A change of sign is reported for small quantum
dots. Model calculations within the framework of eight-band k.p theory and the
configuration interaction method were performed. Different sources for the
fine-structure splitting are discussed, and piezoelectricity is pinpointed as
the only effect reproducing the observed trend.Comment: 5 pages, 5 figure
Towards absolute calibration of optical tweezers
Aiming at absolute force calibration of optical tweezers, following a
critical review of proposed theoretical models, we present and test the results
of MDSA (Mie-Debye-Spherical Aberration) theory, an extension of a previous
(MD) model, taking account of spherical aberration at the glass/water
interface. This first-principles theory is formulated entirely in terms of
experimentally accessible parameters (none adjustable). Careful experimental
tests of the MDSA theory, undertaken at two laboratories, with very different
setups, are described. A detailed description is given of the procedures
employed to measure laser beam waist, local beam power at the transparent
microspheres trapped by the tweezers, microsphere radius and the trap
transverse stiffness, as a function of radius and height in the (inverted
microscope) sample chamber. We find generally very good agreement with MDSA
theory predictions, for a wide size range, from the Rayleigh domain to large
radii, including the values most often employed in practice, and at different
chamber heights, both with objective overfilling and underfilling. The results
asymptotically approach geometrical optics in the mean over size intervals, as
they should, and this already happens for size parameters not much larger than
unity. MDSA predictions for the trapping threshold, position of stiffness peak,
stiffness variation with height, multiple equilibrium points and `hopping'
effects among them are verified. Remaining discrepancies are ascribed to focus
degradation, possibly arising from objective aberrations in the infrared, not
yet included in MDSA theory.Comment: 15 pages, 20 figure
Control of fine-structure splitting and excitonic binding energies in selected individual InAs/GaAs quantum dots
A systematic study of the impact of annealing on the electronic properties of
single InAs/GaAs quantum dots (QDs) is presented. Single QD cathodoluminescence
spectra are recorded to trace the evolution of one and the same QD over several
steps of annealing. A substantial reduction of the excitonic fine-structure
splitting upon annealing is observed. In addition, the binding energies of
different excitonic complexes change dramatically. The results are compared to
model calculations within eight-band k.p theory and the configuration
interaction method, suggesting a change of electron and hole wave function
shape and relative position.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Influence of Polytypism on the Electronic Structure of CdSe/CdS and CdSe/CdSe Core/Shell Nanocrystals
We address theoretically differences and similarities on the electronic structure of CdSe/CdS dot-in-dot nanocrystals (NCs) with wurtzite/wurtzite (WZ/WZ), zinc-blende/zinc-blende (ZB/ZB) and polytype ZB/WZ crystalline phases, as they are currently being synthesized and used in optoelectronic devices. We show that the electronic structure of polytypic CdSe/CdS NCs closely resembles that of WZ or ZB NCs with regard to quantum confinement and strain, resulting in similar single-exciton wave functions. The main differences arise in the nature and magnitude of built-in electric fields. We predict that these fields are stronger in polytypes than in pure WZ or ZB NCs due to the sharp spontaneous polarization mismatch between the cubic core and the hexagonal shell lattices. Polarization in NCs is currently believed to be screened by several surface effects. In polytypical structures, however, the polarization mismatch at the interface may create effective charges that are sufficiently far from the outer surface to be quenched. To make a definitive assessment on this controversial issue, we propose experiments in polytypic ZB/WZ NCs where both core and shell are made of CdSe. In such a case, band offsets are small, strain is absent, and our calculations predict pyroelectricity should become the driving force, inducing transitions from type-I to type-II excitons with increasing core or shell size.We thank I. Moreels and P. Guyot-Sionnest for useful discussions. Support from MINECO
project CTQ2014-60178-P, UJI project P1-1B2014-24 is acknowledged
Molecular motor traffic in a half-open tube
The traffic of molecular motors which interact through mutual exclusion is
studied theoretically for half-open tube-like compartments. These half-open
tubes mimic the shapes of axons. The mutual exclusion leads to traffic jams or
density plateaus on the filaments. A phase transition is obtained when the
motor velocity changes sign. We identify the relevant length scales and
characterize the jamming behavior using both analytical approximations and
Monte Carlo simulations of lattice models.Comment: 14 pages, 5 postscript figure
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