Abstract
Charged and neutral exciton complexes in single quantum dots (QDs) are investigated by cathodoluminescence spectroscopy. The relative spectral positions of the few-particle transition energies compared to the transition are shown to be strongly correlated to the QD size. Starting from an unprecedented detailed knowledge about the size, shape, and composition of the investigated quantum dots these energies are calculated using an eight-band theory for the single-particle states and the configuration interaction method for the few-particle states. The observed strong variation of the few-particle energy positions is found to originate from a depletion of the number of excited states in the QDs when they become smaller. Then the degree of correlation is reduced. From a detailed comparison of the numerical results with the experimental data we identify the number of hole states bound in the QD to be the key parameter for size and sign variations of the relative few-particle energies.
- Received 19 October 2004
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.71.155325
©2005 American Physical Society