Properties and applications of quantum dot heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy

• Published in: Nanoscale research letters Vol. 1; no. 1; pp. 32 - 45
• Main Author: Henini, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Heidelberg Springer Nature B.V 01.06.2006; Springer
• Subjects: Epitaxial growth; Fabrication; Flavors; Heterostructures; Molecular beam epitaxy; Nano Review; Optical properties; Quantum dots; Quantum wires; Self-assembly
• ISSN: 1556-276X; 1931-7573; 1556-276X
• DOI: 10.1007/s11671-006-9017-5

One of the main directions of contemporary semiconductor physics is the production and study of structures with a dimension less than two: quantum wires and quantum dots, in order to realize novel devices that make use of low-dimensional confinement effects. One of the promising fabrication methods is to use self-organized three-dimensional (3D) structures, such as 3D coherent islands, which are often formed during the initial stage of heteroepitaxial growth in lattice-mismatched systems. This article is intended to convey the flavour of the subject by focussing on the structural, optical and electronic properties and device applications of self-assembled quantum dots and to give an elementary introduction to some of the essential characteristics.