Coherent electron–hole correlations in quantum dots

Abstract

Using numerical time propagation of the electron–hole wave function, we demonstrate how various coherent correlation effects can be observed by laser excitation of a nanoscale semiconductor quantum dot. The lowest-lying states of an electron–hole pair, when appropriately excited by a laser pulse, give rise to charge oscillations that are manifested by beatings in the optical or intraband polarizations. A GaAs 5×25×25 nm3 dot in the effective-mass approximation, including the screened Coulomb interaction between the electron and a heavy or light hole, is simulated.