Dicke effect in a quantum wire with side-coupled quantum dots

A system of an array of side-coupled quantum-dots attached to a quantum wire is studied theoretically. Transport through the quantum wire is investigated by means of a noninteracting Anderson tunneling Hamiltonian. Analytical expressions of the transmission probability and phase are given. The transmission probability shows an energy spectrum with forbidden and allowed bands that depends on the up-down asymmetry of the system. In up-down symmetry only the gap survives, and in up-down asymmetry an allowed band is formed. We show that the allowed band arises by the indirect coupling between the up and down quantum dots. In addition, the band edges can be controlled by the degree of asymmetry of the quantum dots. We discuss the analogy between this phenomenon with the Dicke effect in optics.Comment: 11 pages, 5 figures. To appear in Physica

A mesoscopic Tera-hertz pulse detector

We show that, under the passage of an electromagnetic terahertz pulse, an asymmetric double barrier device may act as an on/off current switch, depending on the bias. The time-dependent response of the device is discussed.Comment: 3 pages Revtex, 4 PS figures. To appear in Applied Physics Letter