Density Functional Theory of Multicomponent Quantum Dots

TL;DR

This paper develops a density functional theory framework for multicomponent quantum dots, revealing how internal degrees of freedom influence electron arrangements and the formation of Wigner molecules.

Contribution

It generalizes the density functional approach to multicomponent quantum dots with multiple fermion types and explores their electronic structure at different densities.

Findings

High-density regime shows a generalized Hund's rule.

Low-density regime favors Wigner molecule formation.

Internal degrees of freedom significantly affect quantum dot behavior.

Abstract

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.