Size effects in small electron-hole drops

Abstract

The self-consistent formulation of density functional theory is used to calculate the single-particle properties of electron-hole droplets in Ge with between 10 and 120 pairs. Results are presented for the recombination luminescence lineshape, the electron and hole density profiles and the work function. As in the physics of the nucleus there are strong effects associated with the filling of the various electron and hole shells. In particular, the luminescence line narrows and oscillates as N decreases for a drop with less than 120 pairs. If N = 70 the width is 70% of the bulk value; while for N = 50 it is 80%. The density profiles and work functions for different N are rather varied and show very strong shell effects.