Computational models for interpretation of wave function imaging in cross-sectional STM of quantum dots

Abstract

Computational models are used to investigate the role of electron–electron interactions in cross-sectional STM of cleaved quantum dots. If correlation effects are weak, the tunnelling current reflects the nodal structure of the non-interacting dot states. If correlation is strong, peaks in the current for tunnelling out of the dot tend to coincide with peaks in the electron density, while the current for tunnelling into the dot tends to be largest between peaks in the electron density.