Excitons and trions in single and vertically coupled quantum dots under an electric field

We present a theoretical study of the exciton (X0), the positive and negative trions (X+ and X−) in single and vertically coupled configurations of self-assembled InGaAs quantum dots under an electric field. The quantum states of X0, X+ and X− have been investigated using a quasi-one-dimensional (Q1D) model within the effective-mass approximation. For the single quantum dots, the electric-field dependent energy levels and the average inter-particle distances for the exciton and trions have been calculated. For the coupled quantum dots, the ground and the excited states for X0, X+ and X− have also been calculated and discussed. It is found that either the hole or the electron can be tuned into resonance states by the electric field and that the transition energy spectra for both trions consequently show crossing and anticrossing patterns. The recombination probabilities of the exciton and trion optical transitions are also calculated. The theoretical results have been compared with previously reported photoluminescence data and qualitative agreement is obtained. The trion conditional wave functions are also plotted under different electric field intensities, and it is found that a molecular orbital can be formed at a critical electric field intensity. The evolution of the energy levels of the trions in coupled quantum dots can be explained by the interplay of particle transfer and the electric field.