Dielectric response of one-dimensional semiconductor quantum wires

Abstract

We develop a non-singular theory for the dielectric response of one dimensional quantum wires as occuring, for example, in semiconductor quantum well and metal-insulator-semiconductor inversion layer systems. The theory includes collisional broadening and realistic wavefunction effects. The dynamical response of a lateral two-dimensional superlattice (made from a periodic array of such quantum wires) is calculated to obtain the elementary excitation spectrum. The plasmon spectrum in the superlattice forms a band, and the characteristic one-dimensional to two-dimensional plasmon transition is seen as the superlattice period is decreased.