Exciton states and interband optical transitions in wurtzite InGaN/GaN quantum dot nanowire heterostructures

Within the framework of the effective-mass approximation, the exciton states and interband optical transitions in InxGa1−xN/GaN strained quantum dot (QD) nanowire heterostructures are investigated using a variational method, in which the important built-in electric field (BEF) effects, dielectric-constant mismatch and three-dimensional confinement of the electron and hole in InxGa1−xN QDs are considered. We find that the strong BEF gives rise to an obvious reduction of the effective band gap of QDs and leads to a remarkable electron-hole spatial separation. The BEF, QD height and radius, and dielectric mismatch effects have a significant influence on exciton binding energy, electron interband optical transitions, and the exciton oscillator strength.

► The built-in electric field (BEF) reduces the effective band gap of quantum dots. ► The BEF leads to a remarkable electron-hole spatial separation. ► Dielectric mismatch obviously influences on exciton states and optical transitions. ► Exciton oscillator strength reduces if increasing quantum dot height when BEF ≠ 0.