Electron correlations in a double-quantum-well structure.

Abstract

The electron correlation effect in a double-quantum-well structure is investigated. The local-field correction and static structural factors are calculated for these structures. It is found that the static structural factors show an anomalous behavior at small q due to the coupled quantum-well-plasma excitation and the interlayer structural factor is negative at large q. We also found that the long-wavelength acoustic plasma mode is further softened due to short-range electron correlations. The minimum critical well separation for this mode to exist increases by an amount \ensuremath{\sim}1/${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{f}1}$, where ${\mathit{k}}_{\mathit{f}1}$ is the Fermi wave vector of the well with higher electron concentration.