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Carrier relaxation mechanisms in self-assembled (In,Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots: Efficient P -> S Auger relaxation of electrons

Gustavo A. Narvaez·Gabriel Bester·Alex Zunger
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Abstract

We calculate the P-shell--to-S-shell decay lifetime τ(P->S) of electrons in lens-shaped self-assembled (In,Ga)As/GaAs dots due to Auger electron-hole scattering within an atomistic pseudopotential-based approach. We find that this relaxation mechanism leads to fast decay of τ(P->S)~1-7 ps for dots of different sizes. Our calculated Auger-type P-shell--to-S-shell decay lifetimes τ(P->S) compare well to data in (In,Ga)As/GaAs dots, showing that as long as holes are present there is no need for an alternative polaron mechanism.

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Gustavo A. Narvaez, Gabriel Bester, Alex Zunger. 2006-08-02. Carrier relaxation mechanisms in self-assembled (In,Ga)As/GaAs quantum dots: Efficient P -> S Auger relaxation of electrons. https://doi.org/10.1103/physrevb.74.075403

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