Localized Joule heating produced by ion current focusing through micron-size holes

We provide an experimental demonstration that the focusing of ionic currents in a micron size hole connecting two chambers can produce local temperature increases of up to $100^\circ$ C with gradients as large as $1^\circ$ K$\mu m^{-1}$. We find a good agreement between the measured temperature profiles and a finite elements-based numerical calculation. We show how the thermal gradients can be used to measure the full melting profile of DNA duplexes within a region of 40 $\mu$m. The possibility to produce even larger gradients using sub-micron pores is discussed.Comment: 3 pages, accepted to Appl. Phys. Lett

Electron-Phonon Interacation in Quantum Dots: A Solvable Model

The relaxation of electrons in quantum dots via phonon emission is hindered by the discrete nature of the dot levels (phonon bottleneck). In order to clarify the issue theoretically we consider a system of $N$ discrete fermionic states (dot levels) coupled to an unlimited number of bosonic modes with the same energy (dispersionless phonons). In analogy to the Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization procedure, we perform a unitary transformation into new bosonic modes. Since only $N(N+1)/2$ of them couple to the fermions, a numerically exact treatment is possible. The formalism is applied to a GaAs quantum dot with only two electronic levels. If close to resonance with the phonon energy, the electronic transition shows a splitting due to quantum mechanical level repulsion. This is driven mainly by one bosonic mode, whereas the other two provide further polaronic renormalizations. The numerically exact results for the electron spectral function compare favourably with an analytic solution based on degenerate perturbation theory in the basis of shifted oscillator states. In contrast, the widely used selfconsistent first-order Born approximation proves insufficient in describing the rich spectral features.Comment: 8 pages, 4 figure

Localization of Denaturation Bubbles in Random DNA Sequences

We study the thermodynamic and dynamic behaviors of twist-induced denaturation bubbles in a long, stretched random sequence of DNA. The small bubbles associated with weak twist are delocalized. Above a threshold torque, the bubbles of several tens of bases or larger become preferentially localized to \AT-rich segments. In the localized regime, the bubbles exhibit ``aging'' and move around sub-diffusively with continuously varying dynamic exponents. These properties are derived using results of large-deviation theory together with scaling arguments, and are verified by Monte-Carlo simulations.Comment: TeX file with postscript figure

Carrier relaxation in GaAs v-groove quantum wires and the effects of localization

Carrier relaxation processes have been investigated in GaAs/AlGaAs v-groove quantum wires (QWRs) with a large subband separation (46 meV). Signatures of inhibited carrier relaxation mechanisms are seen in temperature-dependent photoluminescence (PL) and photoluminescence-excitation (PLE) measurements; we observe strong emission from the first excited state of the QWR below ~50 K. This is attributed to reduced inter-subband relaxation via phonon scattering between localized states. Theoretical calculations and experimental results indicate that the pinch-off regions, which provide additional two-dimensional confinement for the QWR structure, have a blocking effect on relaxation mechanisms for certain structures within the v-groove. Time-resolved PL measurements show that efficient carrier relaxation from excited QWR states into the ground state, occurs only at temperatures > 30 K. Values for the low temperature radiative lifetimes of the ground- and first excited-state excitons have been obtained (340 ps and 160 ps respectively), and their corresponding localization lengths along the wire estimated.Comment: 9 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev. B Attempted to correct corrupt figure

Strain-induced quantum dots by self-organized stressors

Novel in situ method to produce quantum dots is reported. Three‐dimensional confinement of carriers to a GaInAs/GaAs quantum welldots is observed by photoluminescence. The confinement potential is induced by stressors, formed by self‐organizing growth of InP nanoscale islands on top barrier GaAssurface. Two transitions arising from the strain‐induced quantum dots produced by two types of InP islands are identified. The luminescence from higher electronic states of the quantum dots having a level splitting of 8 meV is also observed.Peer reviewe

Current Switch by Coherent Trapping of Electrons in Quantum Dots

We propose a new transport mechanism through tunnel-coupled quantum dots based on the coherent population trapping effect. Coupling to an excited level by the coherent radiation of two microwaves can lead to an extremely narrow current antiresonance. The effect can be used to determine interdot dephasing rates and is a mechanism for a very sensitive, optically controlled current switch.Comment: to appear in Phys. Rev. Let

Evaluation and Optimization of Underground Thermal Energy Storage Systems of Energy Efficient Buildings (WKSP)- A Project within the new German R&D- Framework EnBop

Until 2003 the research on buildings in operation in Germany focused mainly on demonstration buildings. Starting with the EVA project managed by IGS the attention is shifting towards performance in operation. The paper gives a general review of these research projects and presents detailed results of project WKSP. The performance of buildings with systems for underground thermal energy storage is analysed in this project. As the analyses show several systems work worse than expected. Within the project most of the systems could be significantly improved in operation. The scientific work on building performance in operation will be broadened within the new R&D framework EnBop. IGS will coordinate the framework funded by the German Ministry of Economics and Technology

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