Electron-correlation driven capture and release in double quantum dots

TL;DR

This paper investigates electron capture and release in double quantum dots driven by electron correlation, using detailed 3D and effective 1D models to understand geometry effects and high reaction probabilities.

Contribution

It introduces a systematic 3D electron dynamics approach and an effective 1D model to analyze ICEC in double quantum dots, revealing geometry influences and resonance effects.

Findings

Effective 1D model matches 3D results, reducing computation time.

High ICEC probability linked to two-electron resonances.

Geometry significantly impacts reaction efficiency.

Abstract

We recently predicted that the interatomic Coulombic electron capture (ICEC) process, a long-range electron correlation driven capture process, is achievable in gated double quantum dots (DQDs). In ICEC an incoming electron is captured by one QD and the excess energy is used to remove an electron from the neighboring QD. In this work we present systematic full three-dimensional electron dynamics calculations in quasi-one dimensional model potentials that allow for a detailed understanding of the connection between the DQD geometry and the reaction probability for the ICEC process. We derive an effective one-dimensional approach and show that its results compare very well with those obtained using the full three-dimensional calculations. This approach substantially reduces the computation times. The investigation of the electronic structure for various DQD geometries for which the ICEC process can take place clarify the origin of its remarkably high probability in the presence of two-electron resonances.