The Wigner molecule in a 2D quantum dot

TL;DR

This paper investigates how three interacting electrons in a 2D quantum dot form a Wigner molecule, characterized by a triangular electron arrangement, as the dot size increases, using numerical diagonalization methods.

Contribution

It demonstrates the formation of a Wigner molecule in a 2D quantum dot through detailed numerical analysis of charge density and pair correlation functions.

Findings

Wigner molecule forms as dot size increases

Electrons arrange in an equilateral triangle

Charge density and pair correlation functions confirm the structure

Abstract

The charge density and pair correlation function of three interacting electrons confined within a two-dimensional disc-like hard wall quantum dot are calculated by full numerical diagonalization of the Hamiltonian. The formation of a Wigner-molecule in the form of equilateral triangular configuration for electrons is observed as the size of the dot is increased.