Induced quantum dots and wires: electron storage and delivery

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates how metal electrodes on semiconductor heterostructures can induce quantum dots and wires through electron wave self-focusing, enabling electron storage and transfer for spin-based devices.

Contribution

It introduces a novel method of creating induced quantum dots and wires via self-focusing electron wave interactions with metal surfaces on heterostructures.

Findings

Quantum dots and wires are formed beneath metal electrodes.

Induced structures enable electron storage and guided transfer.

Potential applications in spin-based electronic devices.

Abstract

We show that quantum dots and quantum wires are formed underneath metal electrodes deposited on a planar semiconductor heterostructure containing a quantum well. The confinement is due to the self-focusing mechanism of an electron wave packet interacting with the charge induced on the metal surface. Induced quantum wires guide the transfer of electrons along metal paths and induced quantum dots store the electrons in specific locations of the nanostructure. Induced dots and wires can be useful for devices operating on the electron spin.