Electric field effects on excitons in cylindrical quantum dots with asymmetric axial potential. Influence on the nonlinear optical properties

The exciton binding energy in an asymmetrical GaAs–Ga1−x AlxAs cylindrical quantum dot is studied with the use of the effective mass approximation and a variational calculation procedure. The influence on these properties of the application of an electric field along the growth direction of the cylinder is particularly considered. It is shown that for zero applied electric field the binding energy is a decreasing function of the quantum dot radius and height. Given a fixed geometric configuration, this quantity becomes a decreasing function of the electric field strength. In addition, the exciton-related nonlinear optical absorption and optical rectification resonant peaks are reported as functions of quantum dots dimensions and the aluminum molar fraction in the potential barrier regions.

► Exciton binding energy in cylindrical quantum dots.
► Binding energy is decreasing function of dimensions of the dot.
► Binding energy is a decreasing function of the electric field.
► Binding energy of excited states is a function of the geometry.
► Binding energy increases when symmetry is recovered.