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Signatures of Wigner localization in epitaxially grown nanowires

L. H. Kristinsdóttir, J. C. Cremon, H. A. Nilsson, H. Q. Xu, L. Samuelson, H. Linke, A. Wacker, and S. M. Reimann (Nanometer Structure Consortium, nmC@LU)
Phys. Rev. B 83, 041101(R) – Published 10 January 2011

Abstract

It was predicted by Wigner in 1934 that an electron gas will undergo a transition to a crystallized state when its density is very low. Whereas significant progress has been made toward the detection of electronic Wigner states, their clear and direct experimental verification still remains a challenge. Here we address signatures of Wigner molecule formation in the transport properties of InSb nanowire quantum-dot systems, where a few electrons may form localized states depending on the size of the dot (i.e., the electron density). Using a configuration interaction approach combined with an appropriate transport formalism, we are able to predict the transport properties of these systems, in excellent agreement with experimental data. We identify specific signatures of Wigner state formation, such as the strong suppression of the antiferromagnetic coupling, and are able to detect the onset of Wigner localization, both experimentally and theoretically, by studying different dot sizes.

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  • Received 26 October 2010

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.83.041101

© 2011 American Physical Society

Authors & Affiliations

L. H. Kristinsdóttir1, J. C. Cremon1, H. A. Nilsson2, H. Q. Xu2, L. Samuelson2, H. Linke2, A. Wacker1, and S. M. Reimann1,* (Nanometer Structure Consortium, nmC@LU)

  • 1Division of Mathematical Physics, Lund University, Box 118, S-22100 Lund, Sweden
  • 2Division of Solid State Physics, Lund University, Box 118, S-22100 Lund, Sweden

  • *Corresponding author; reimann@matfys.lth.se

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Vol. 83, Iss. 4 — 1 January 2011

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