arXiv subjects

H. P. Langtangen

Publications and source records attributed to H. P. Langtangen.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

arXiv2007

Pulse-induced acoustoelectric vibrations in surface-gated GaAs-based quantum devices

We present the results of a numerical investigation which show the excitation of acoustoelectric modes of vibration in GaAs-based heterostructures due to sharp nano-second electric-field pulses applied across surface gates. In particular, we show that the pulses applied in quantum information processing applications are capable of exciting acoustoelectric modes of vibration including surface acoustic modes which propagate for distances greater than conventional device dimensions. We show that the pulse-induced acoustoelectric vibrations are capable of inducing significant undesired perturbations to the evolution of quantum systems.

quant-ph↗

arXiv2006

A numerical investigation of a piezoelectric surface acoustic wave interaction with a one-dimensional channel

We investigate the propagation of a piezoelectric surface acoustic wave (SAW) across a GaAs/Al$_X$Ga$_{1-X}$As heterostructure surface, on which there is fixed a metallic split-gate. Our method is based on a finite element formulation of the underlying equations of motion, and is performed in three-dimensions fully incorporating the geometry and material composition of the substrate and gates. We demonstrate attenuation of the SAW amplitude as a result of the presence of both mechanical and electrical gates on the surface. We show that the incorporation of a simple model for the screening by the two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), results in a total electric potential modulation that suggests a mechanism for the capture and release of electrons by the SAW. Our simulations suggest the absence of any significant turbulence in the SAW motion which could hamper the operation of SAW based quantum devices of a more complex geometry.

cond-mat.mes-hall↗

arXiv2006

A finite element method for modelling electromechanical wave propagation in anisotropic piezoelectric media

We describe and evaluate a numerical solution strategy for simulating surface acoustic waves through semiconductor devices with complex geometries. This multi-physics problem is of particular relevance to the design of quantum electronic devices. The mathematical model consists of two coupled partial differential equations for the elastic wave propagation and the electric field, respectively, in anisotropic piezoelectric media. These equations are discretized by the finite element method in space and by a finite difference method in time. The latter method yields a convenient numerical decoupling of the governing equations. We describe how a computer implementation can utilize the decoupling and via object-oriented programming techniques reuse independent codes for the Poisson equation and the linear time-dependent elasticity equation. First we apply the simulator to a simplified model problem for verifying the implementation, and thereafter we show that the methodology is capable of simulating a real-world case from nanotechnology, involving surface acoustic waves in a geometrically non-trivial device made of Gallium Arsenide.

physics.comp-ph↗

arXiv2006

A finite element analysis of a silicon based double quantum dot structure

We present the results of a finite-element solution of the Laplace equation for the silicon-based trench-isolated double quantum-dot and the capacitively-coupled single-electron transistor device architecture. This system is a candidate for charge and spin-based quantum computation in the solid state, as demonstrated by recent coherent-charge oscillation experiments. Our key findings demonstrate control of the electric potential and electric field in the vicinity of the double quantum-dot by the electric potential applied to the in-plane gates. This constitutes a useful theoretical analysis of the silicon-based architecture for quantum information processing applications.

quant-ph↗