Hidden correlations of exciton complexes in self-assembled quantum dots and rings

TL;DR

This paper reveals a universal Coulomb correlation rule governing exciton complex transition energies in self-assembled quantum dots and rings, with a sharp topological transition signal.

Contribution

It uncovers a simple, robust correlation rule for exciton complexes that is insensitive to geometric and compositional variations, highlighting a topological transition effect.

Findings

Transition energies follow a positive, nearly constant sum rule.

A sharp transition in this quantity indicates a change from dot to ring topology.

The correlation can be directly measured and explains photoluminescence spectra.

Abstract

The binding energies of trions ($X^+$, $X^-$) and biexciton (XX) in self-assembled semiconductor quantum dots (QDs) are very sensitive to the geometry and chemical composition of the QDs, and are random from dots to dots. However, in this letter, we show through analytical and numerical methods that the transition energies of the exciton complexes in self-assembled quantum dots and rings follow a simple and robust rule, i.e., the sum of exciton and biexciton transition energies minus the transition energies of trions is always positive and almost a constant for the same type of quantum dots and rings as a consequence of a pure Coulomb correlation effect. More interestingly, this quantity show a sharp transition when the topology change from a dot to a ring. This {\it hidden} correlation effect, directly measurable in experiments, offers a useful way to understand the photoluminescence spectra of self-assembled quantum dots and rings.