0000000000054790
AUTHOR
Stephanie Reimann
Rotating quantum liquids crystallize
Small crystallites form when finite quantal systems are set highly rotating. This crystallization is independent of the statistics of the particles, and occurs for both trapped bosons and fermions. The spin degree of freedom does not change the tendency for localization. In a highly rotating state, the strongly correlated bosonic and fermionic systems approach to that of classical particles.
Bose condensates at high angular momenta
We exploit the analogy with the Quantum Hall (QH) system to study weakly interacting bosons in a harmonic trap. For a $\delta$-function interaction potential the ``yrast'' states with $L\ge N(N-1)$ are degenerate, and we show how this can be understood in terms of Haldane exclusion statistics. We present spectra for 4 and 8 particles obtained by numerical and algebraic methods, and demonstrate how a more general hard-core potential lifts the degeneracies on the yrast line. The exact wavefunctions for N=4 are compared with trial states constructed from composite fermions (CF), and the possibility of using CF-states to study the low L region at high N is discussed.
Energy spectrum, persistent current and electron localization in quantum rings
Energy spectra of quasi-one-dimensional quantum rings with a few electrons are studied using several different theoretical methods. Discrete Hubbard models and continuum models are shown to give similar results governed by the special features of the one-dimensionality. The energy spectrum of the many-body system can be described with a rotation-vibration spectrum of a 'Wigner molecule' of 'localized' electrons, combined with the spin-state determined from an effective antiferromagnetic Heisenberg Hamiltonian. The persistent current as a function of magnetic flux through the ring shows periodic oscillations arising from the 'rigid rotation' of the electron ring. For polarized electrons the …
Spontaneous magnetism of quantum dot lattices.
The magnetism of square lattices of quantum dots with up to 12 electrons per dot is studied using the spin-density functional formalism. At small values of the lattice constant, all lattices are nonmagnetic and gapless. When the lattice constant is increased, the shell structure of the single dots governs the magnetism of the lattice. At closed shells, the lattices are nonmagnetic and have a gap at the Fermi level. At the beginning and at the end of a shell, they become ferromagnetic and stay gapless up to large values of the lattice constant. Antiferromagnetism was observed only at midshell after a band gap was opened.
The effect of interactions on Bose-Einstein condensation in a quasi two-dimensional harmonic trap
A dilute bose gas in a quasi two-dimensional harmonic trap and interacting with a repulsive two-body zero-range potential of fixed coupling constant is considered. Using the Thomas-Fermi method, it is shown to remain in the same uncondensed phase as the temperature is lowered. Its density profile and energy are identical to that of an ideal gas obeying the fractional exclusion statistics of Haldane. PACS: ~03.75.Fi, 05.30.Jp, 67.40.Db, 05.30.-d
Current-spin-density-functional study of persistent currents in quantum rings
We present a numerical study of persistent currents in quantum rings using current spin density functional theory (CSDFT). This formalism allows for a systematic study of the joint effects of both spin, interactions and impurities for realistic systems. It is illustrated that CSDFT is suitable for describing the physical effects related to Aharonov-Bohm phases by comparing energy spectra of impurity-free rings to existing exact diagonalization and experimental results. Further, we examine the effects of a symmetry-breaking impurity potential on the density and current characteristics of the system and propose that narrowing the confining potential at fixed impurity potential will suppress t…
Finite boson and fermion systems under extreme rotation: edge reconstruction and vortex formation
Vortices can form when finite quantal systems are set rotating. In the limit of small particle numbers, the vortex formation in a harmonically trapped fermion system, with repulsively interacting particles, shows similarities to the corresponding boson system, with vortices entering the rotating cloud for increasing rotation. For a larger number of fermions, N greater than or similar to 15, the fermion vortices compete and co-exist with (Chamon-Wen) edge-reconstructed ground states, forcing some ground states, as for example the central single vortex, into the spectrum of excited states. Experimentally, the fermion system could, for instance, be electrons in a semiconductor heterostructure,…
Electronic and magnetic structure of artificial atoms
The concept of shell structure has been found useful in the description of semiconductor quantum dots, which today can be made so small that they contain less than 20 electrons. We review the experimental discovery of magic numbers and spin alignment following Hund’s rules in the addition spectra of vertical quantum dots, and show that these results compare well to model calculations within spin density functional theory. We further discuss the occurrence of spin density waves in quantum dots and quantum wires. For deformable two-dimensional quantum dots (for example, jellium clusters on surfaces), we study the interplay between Hund’s rules and Jahn–Teller deformations and investigate the …
Rotational and vibrational spectra of quantum rings
One can confine the two-dimensional electron gas in semiconductor heterostructures electrostatically or by etching techniques such that a small electron island is formed. These man-made ``artificial atoms'' provide the experimental realization of a text-book example of many-particle physics: a finite number of quantum particles in a trap. Much effort was spent on making such "quantum dots" smaller and going from the mesoscopic to the quantum regime. Far-reaching analogies to the physics of atoms, nuclei or metal clusters were obvious from the very beginning: The concepts of shell structure and Hund's rules were found to apply -- just as in real atoms! In this Letter, we report the discovery…
Universality of Many-Body States in Rotating Bose and Fermi Systems
We propose a universal transformation from a many-boson state to a corresponding many-fermion state in the lowest Landau level approximation of rotating many-body systems, inspired by the Laughlin wave function and by the Jain composite-fermion construction. We employ the exact-diagonalization technique for finding the many-body states. The overlap between the transformed boson ground state and the true fermion ground state is calculated in order to measure the quality of the transformation. For very small and high angular momenta, the overlap is typically above 90%. For intermediate angular momenta, mixing between states complicates the picture and leads to small ground-state overlaps at s…
Formation of Wigner molecules in small quantum dots
It was recently argued that in small quantum dots the electrons could crystallize at much higher densities than in the infinite two-dimensional electron gas. We compare predictions that the onset of spin polarization and the formation of Wigner molecules occurs at a density parameter $r_s\approx 4 a_B^*$ to the results of a straight-forward diagonalization of the Hamiltonian matrix.
Coreless Vortices in Rotating Two-Component Quantum Droplets
The rotation of a quantum liquid induces vortices to carry angular momentum. When the system is composed of multiple components that are distinguishable from each other, vortex cores in one component may be filled by particles of the other component, and coreless vortices form. Based on evidence from computational methods, here we show that the formation of coreless vortices occurs very similarly for repulsively interacting bosons and fermions, largely independent of the form of the particle interactions. We further address the connection to the Halperin wave functions of non-polarized quantum Hall states.
Vortex rings in two-dimensional harmonic traps
We use the configuration interaction technique to study vortex formation in rotating systems of interacting spinless fermions and bosons trapped in a two-dimensional harmonic potential. In the fermionic case, the vortices appear as holes in the Fermi sea and localize in rings. The yrast spectrum is dominated by rigid rotation of the vortex ring, showing periodic oscillations. The Bose system shows a similar yrast spectrum and vortex formation. This can be explained by a one-to-one correspondence of the fermion and boson many-particle configurations. A simple mean-field model can reproduce the oscillations in the yrast spectrum, but fails to explain the localization of vortices.
Weakly Interacting Bose-Einstein Condensates under Rotation: Mean-Field versus Exact Solutions
We consider a weakly-interacting, harmonically-trapped Bose-Einstein condensed gas under rotation and investigate the connection between the energies obtained from mean-field calculations and from exact diagonalizations in a subspace of degenerate states. From the latter we derive an approximation scheme valid in the thermodynamic limit of many particles. Mean-field results are shown to emerge as the correct leading-order approximation to exact calculations in the same subspace.
Magnetic properties of quantum dots and rings
Exact many-body methods as well as current-spin-density functional theory are used to study the magnetism and electron localization in two-dimensional quantum dots and quasi-one-dimensional quantum rings. Predictions of broken-symmetry solutions within the density functional model are confirmed by exact configuration interaction (CI) calculations: In a quantum ring the electrons localize to form an antiferromagnetic chain which can be described with a simple model Hamiltonian. In a quantum dot the magnetic field localizes the electrons as predicted with the density functional approach.
Electron-hole duality and vortex rings in quantum dots
In a quantum-mechanical system, particle-hole duality implies that instead of studying particles, we can get equivalent information by studying the missing particles, the so-called holes. Using this duality picture for rotating fermion condensates the vortices appear as holes in the Fermi see. Here we predict that the formation of vortices in quantum dots at high magnetic fields causes oscillations in the energy spectrum which can be experimentally observed using accurate tunnelling spectroscopy. We use the duality picture to show that these oscillations are caused by the localisation of vortices in rings.
Universal vortex formation in rotating traps with bosons and fermions.
When a system consisting of many interacting particles is set rotating, it may form vortices. This is familiar to us from every-day life: you can observe vortices while stirring your coffee or watching a hurricane. In the world of quantum mechanics, famous examples of vortices are superconducting films and rotating bosonic $^4$He or fermionic $^3$He liquids. Vortices are also observed in rotating Bose-Einstein condensates in atomic traps and are predicted to exist for paired fermionic atoms. Here we show that the rotation of trapped particles with a repulsive interaction leads to a similar vortex formation, regardless of whether the particles are bosons or (unpaired) fermions. The exact, qu…
Spectral properties of rotating electrons in quantum dots and their relation to quantum Hall liquids
The exact diagonalization technique is used to study many-particle properties of interacting electrons with spin, confined in a two-dimensional harmonic potential. The single-particle basis is limited to the lowest Landau level. The results are analyzed as a function of the total angular momentum of the system. Only at angular momenta corresponding to the filling factors 1, 1/3, 1/5 etc. the system is fully polarized. The lowest energy states exhibit spin-waves, domains, and localization, depending on the angular momentum. Vortices exist only at excited polarized states. The high angular momentum limit shows localization of electrons and separation of the charge and spin excitations.
Electron-hole bilayer quantum dots: Phase diagram and exciton localization
We studied a vertical ``quantum dot molecule'', where one of the dots is occupied with electrons and the other with holes. We find that different phases occur in the ground state, depending on the carrier density and the interdot distance. When the system is dominated by shell structure, orbital degeneracies can be removed either by Hund's rule, or by Jahn-Teller deformation. Both mechanisms can lead to a maximum of the addition energy at mid-shell. At low densities and large interdot distances, bound electron-hole pairs are formed.
Many-body spectrum and particle localization in quantum dots and finite rotating Bose condensates
The yrast spectra (i.e. the lowest states for a given total angular momentum) of quantum dots in strong magnetic fields, are studied in terms of exact numerical diagonalization and analytic trial wave functions. We argue that certain features (cusps) in the many-body spectrum can be understood in terms of particle localization due to the strong field. A new class of trial wavefunctions supports the picture of the electrons being localized in Wigner molecule-like states consisting of consecutive rings of electrons, with low-lying excitations corresponding to rigid rotation of the outer ring of electrons. The geometry of the Wigner molecule is independent of interparticle interactions and the…
Quantum rings for beginners II: Bosons versus fermions
The purpose of this overview article, which can be viewed as a supplement to our previous review on quantum rings, [S. Viefers {\it et al}, Physica E {\bf 21} (2004), 1-35], is to highlight the differences of boson and fermion systems in one-dimensional (1D) and quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) quantum rings. In particular this involves comparing their many-body spectra and other properties, in various regimes and models, including spinless and spinful particles, finite versus infinite interaction, and continuum versus lattice models. Our aim is to present the topic in a comprehensive way, focusing on small systems where the many-body problem can be solved exactly. Mapping out the similarities a…
Density Functional Theory of Multicomponent Quantum Dots
Quantum dots with conduction electrons or holes originating from several bands are considered. We assume the particles are confined in a harmonic potential and assume the electrons (or holes) belonging to different bands to be different types of fermions with isotropic effective masses. The density functional method with the local density approximation is used. The increased number of internal (Kohn-Sham) states leads to a generalisation of Hund's first rule at high densities. At low densitites the formation of Wigner molecules is favored by the increased internal freedom.
Vortices in quantum droplets: Analogies between boson and fermion systems
The main theme of this review is the many-body physics of vortices in quantum droplets of bosons or fermions, in the limit of small particle numbers. Systems of interest include cold atoms in traps as well as electrons confined in quantum dots. When set to rotate, these in principle very different quantum systems show remarkable analogies. The topics reviewed include the structure of the finite rotating many-body state, universality of vortex formation and localization of vortices in both bosonic and fermionic systems, and the emergence of particle-vortex composites in the quantum Hall regime. An overview of the computational many-body techniques sets focus on the configuration interaction …
Magnetism in one-dimensional quantum dot arrays
We employ the density functional Kohn-Sham method in the local spin-density approximation to study the electronic structure and magnetism of quasi one-dimensional periodic arrays of few-electron quantum dots. At small values of the lattice constant, the single dots overlap, forming a non-magnetic quantum wire with nearly homogenous density. As the confinement perpendicular to the wire is increased, i.e. as the wire is squeezed to become more one-dimensional, it undergoes a spin-Peierls transition. Magnetism sets in as the quantum dots are placed further apart. It is determined by the electronic shell filling of the individual quantum dots. At larger values of the lattice constant, the band …
Jahn-Teller deformations of jellium slices
Equilibrium geometries of quasi two-dimensional jellium systems are calculated in the local density approximation, closely following the “Ultimate Jellium Model” of [1]. The background charge is assumed to be fully deformable in a layer between two parallel planes, whereas the wave functions in the direction perpendicular to such a “jellium slice” are confined to their ground state. Like for jellium clusters in three dimensions [1], we find that for various system sizes, a trend towards a breaking of axial and inversion symmetries is observable.
Vortices in rotating two-component boson and fermion traps
Quantum liquids may carry angular momentum by the formation of vortex states. This is well known for Bose-Einstein condensates in rotating traps, and was even found to occur in quantum dots at strong magnetic fields. Here we consider a two-component quantum liquid, where coreless vortices and interlaced lattices of coreless vortices appear in a very similar way for fermions and bosons with repulsive two-body interactions. The ground states at given angular momentum, as well as the pair correlations for equal and different numbers of atoms in the two components, are studied. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Exchange-correlation energy of a multicomponent two-dimensional electron gas
We discuss the exchange-correlation energy of a multicomponent (multi-valley) two-dimensional electron gas and show that an extension of the recent parametrisation of the exchange-correlation energy by Attacalite et al (Phys. Rev. Lett. 88, 256601 (2002)) describes well also the multicomponent system. We suggest a simple mass dependence of the correlation energy and apply it to study the phase diagram of the multicomponent 2D electron (or hole) gas. The results show that even a small mass difference of the components (e.g. heavy and light holes) decreases the concentration of the lighter components already at relatively high densities.
Vortex localization in rotating clouds of bosons and fermions
Finite quantal systems at high angular momenta may exhibit vortex formation and localization. These phenomena occur independent of the statistics of the repulsively interacting particles, which may be of bosonic or fermionic nature. We analyze the relation between vortex localization and formation of stable Wigner molecules at high angular momenta in the view of particle-hole duality.Trial wave functions for the vortex states and the corresponding fermion-boson relations are discussed.
Magnetism and Hund's Rule in an Optical Lattice with Cold Fermions
Artificially confined, small quantum systems show a high potential for employing quantum physics in technology. Ultra-cold atom gases have opened an exciting laboratory in which to explore many-particle systems that are not accessible in conventional atomic or solid state physics. It appears promising that optical trapping of cold bosonic or fermionic atoms will make construction of devices with unprecedented precision possible in the future, thereby allowing experimenters to make their samples much more "clean", and hence more coherent. Trapped atomic quantum gases may thus provide an interesting alternative to the quantum dot nanostructures produced today. Optical lattices created by stan…
Quantum Dots in Magnetic Fields: Phase Diagram and Broken Symmetry at the Maximum-Density-Droplet Edge
Quantum dots in magnetic fields are studied within the current spin-density-functional formalism avoiding any spatial symmetry restrictions of the solutions. We find that the maximum-density droplet reconstructs into states with broken internal symmetry: The Chamon-Wen edge coexists with a modulation of the charge density along the edge. The phase boundaries between the polarization transition, the maximum-density droplet, and its reconstruction are in agreement with recent experimental results.
Ellipsoidal deformation of vertical quantum dots
Addition energy spectra at 0 T of circular and ellipsoidally deformed few-electron vertical quantum dots are measured and compared to results of model calculations within spin-density functional theory. Because of the rotational symmetry of the lateral harmonic confining potential, circular dots show a pronounced shell structure. With the lifting of the single- particle level degeneracies, even a small deformation is found to radically alter the shell structure leading to significant modifications in the addition energy spectra. Breaking the circular symmetry with deformation also induces changes in the total spin. This "piezo-magnetic" behavior of quantum dots is discussed, and the additio…
Broken symmetries in the reconstruction of ν=1 quantum Hall edges
Spin-polarized reconstruction of the v=1 quantum Hall edge is accompanied by a spatial modulation of the charge density along the edge. We find that this is also the case for finite quantum Hall droplets: current spin density functional calculations show that the so-called Chamon-Wen edge forms a ring of apparently localized electrons around the maximum density droplet (MDD). The boundaries of these different phases qualitatively agree with recent experiments. For very soft confinement, Chern-Simons Ginzburg-Landau theory indicates formation of a non-translational invariant edge with vortices (holes) trapped in the edge region.
Correlation and spin polarization in quantum dots: Local spin density functional theory revisited
Using quantum dot artificial atoms as a simple toy model, we reflect on the question of whether spin density functional theory (SDFT) can accurately describe correlation effects in low-dimensional fermion systems. Different expressions for the local density approximation of the exchange-correlation energy for the two-dimensional electron gas, such as the much-used functional of Tanatar and Ceperley, and the recent suggestion by Attaccalite et al., are compared with the results of a numerical diagonalization of the many-body Hamiltonian matrix in the limit of small electron numbers. For systems with degeneracies, as shown in the present work for the example of a spin triplet with S = 1, the …
Electronic structure of quantum dots
The properties of quasi-two-dimensional semiconductor quantum dots are reviewed. Experimental techniques for measuring the electronic shell structure and the effect of magnetic fields are briefly described. The electronic structure is analyzed in terms of simple single-particle models, density-functional theory, and "exact" diagonalization methods. The spontaneous magnetization due to Hund's rule, spin-density wave states, and electron localization are addressed. As a function of the magnetic field, the electronic structure goes through several phases with qualitatively different properties. The formation of the so-called maximum-density droplet and its edge reconstruction is discussed, and…
Electron correlation in metal clusters, quantum dots and quantum rings
This short review presents a few case studies of finite electron systems for which strong correlations play a dominant role. In simple metal clusters, the valence electrons determine stability and shape of the clusters. The ionic skeleton of alkali metals is soft, and cluster geometries are often solely determined by electron correlations. In quantum dots and rings, the electrons may be confined by an external electrostatic potential, formed by a gated heterostructure. In the low density limit, the electrons may form so-called Wigner molecules, for which the many-body quantum spectra reveal the classical vibration modes. High rotational states increase the tendency for the electrons to loca…
Magnetic interaction between coupled quantum dots
We study the magnetic coupling in artificial molecules composed of two and four laterally coupled quantum dots. The electronic ground-state configurations of such systems are determined by applying current spin density functional theory which allows to include effects of magnetic fields. While the ground-state of a two-dot molecule with strong enough inter-dot coupling tends to be antiferromagnetic with respect to the spins of the single dot components, we find that a square lattice of four dots has a ferromagnetic ground state.
Quantum dots in magnetic fields: Unrestricted symmetries in the current spin-density functional formalism
We apply the current spin-density functional formalism (CSDFT) of Vignale and Rasolt to two-dimensional quantum dots in magnetic fields. Avoiding any spatial symmetry restrictions of the solutions, we find that a broken rotational symmetry of the electronic charge density can occur in high magnetic fields.
Vertical quantum dots with elliptically deformed cross sections
Abstract Few-electron vertical quantum dot artificial atoms with circular and elliptically deformed cross sections are investigated. Because of the high symmetry of the lateral confining potential, circular dots show a pronounced shell structure. With the lifting of level degeneracies, even a small deformation in shape is found to radically alter the shell structure leading to significant modifications of the addition energy spectra, and to induce change in the total spin.