Modelling chemical reactions using semiconductor quantum dots

TL;DR

This paper explores using semiconductor quantum dots to simulate chemical reactions by controlling electron redistribution through voltage pulses, offering a new platform for studying reaction dynamics.

Contribution

It introduces a method to model chemical reactions with quantum dots and demonstrates how to manipulate reaction outcomes via voltage control, extending the Pechukas gas approach.

Findings

Successful simulation of simple chemical reactions using quantum dots

Demonstration of controlling reaction regimes through voltage variation

Potential extension of the method to complex reactions

Abstract

We propose using semiconductor quantum dots for a simulation of chemical reactions as electrons are redistributed among such artificial atoms. We show that it is possible to achieve various reaction regimes and obtain different reaction products by varying the speed of voltage changes applied to the gates forming quantum dots. Considering the simplest possible reaction, $H_2+H\to H+H_2$, we show how the necessary initial state can be obtained and what voltage pulses should be applied to achieve a desirable final product. Our calculations have been performed using the Pechukas gas approach, which can be extended for more complicated reactions.