Pseudomorphic quantum wires: Symmetry breaking due to structural, strain and piezoelectric field induced confinement

Abstract

In pseudomorphic quantum wires (QWRs) structural, strain and piezoelectric field induced confinement are present simultaneously and of comparable importance. For realistic In 0.2 Ga 0.8 As QWR structures fabricated in an Al 0.2 Ga 0.8 As V-groove the strain distribution is modeled with finite element analysis. Piezoelectric fields due to shear strain are included into the calculation of the confinement potentials. The solution of the single particle Schrödinger equation yields the energy levels and wavefunctions. We find strain induced symmetry breaking with level degeneracies and predict increased carrier lifetime.