Acoustically induced potential dots in GaAs quantum wells

• Published in: Solid state communications Vol. 129; no. 7; pp. 453 - 457
• Main Authors: Alsina, F., Stotz, J.A.H., Hey, R., Santos, P.V.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.2004; Elsevier
• Subjects: A. Quantum wells; Acoustoelectric effects and surface acoustic waves (saw) in piezoelectrics; B. Nanofabrications; Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; D. Electronic transport; D. Luminescence; D. Piezoelectricity; Dielectrics, piezoelectrics, and ferroelectrics and their properties; E. Electrostriction; Exact sciences and technology; Iii-v semiconductors; Optical properties and condensed-matter spectroscopy and other interactions of matter with particles and radiation; Photoluminescence; Physics; Piezoelectricity and electromechanical effects; Strain-induced piezoelectric fields; 78.55.Cr; 77.65.Dq; 77.65.Ly; E. Electrostriction; D. Piezoelectricity; A. Quantum wells; D. Electronic transport; B. Nanofabrications; D. Luminescence; 73.50.Rb; Gallium arsenides; Inorganic compounds; Quantum dots; Quantum wells; Photoluminescence; Piezoelectricity; Strain distribution; Binary compounds; Acoustic surface waves; Electron hole pair; Experimental study; III-V semiconductors
• ISSN: 0038-1098; 1879-2766
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ssc.2003.11.014

Dynamic dots (DDs) consisting of confined and mobile potentials are realized by the interference of orthogonal surface acoustic wave (SAW) beams in GaAs quantum wells. Photoluminescence spectroscopy reveals that the DDs are characterized by a peculiar distribution of strain and piezoelectric fields dictated by the lattice symmetry, which is quite different from the one induced by a single SAW. We demonstrate the unique ability of DDs to control the flow of photogenerated electron–hole pairs and of photons by realizing an electronic switch based on SAWs.