Spin configuration transformation in laterally coupled few-electron artificial molecules

Abstract:

Artificial molecules, namely laterally coupled quantum dots with a three-dimensional spherical confinement potential well of radius R and depth V ₀, were studied by the unrestricted Hartree-Fock-Roothaan (UHFR) method. By varying the distance d between the centers of the two coupled quantum dots, the transition from the strong coupling situation to the weak one is realized. Hund's rule, suitable for a single quantum dot is destroyed in certain conditions in the artificial molecule. For example, in the few-electron system of the strongly coupled quantum-dot molecule, a transformation of spin configuration has been found.