Publication
Title
Asymmetric versus symmetric Te double quantum wells: Bandgap tuning without electric field
Author
Abstract
We investigate the electron states in double asymmetric HgTe / Cd x Hg 1 - x Te quantum wells grown along the [ 001 ] direction. The subbands are computed by means of the envelope function approximation applied to the eight-band Kane k . mml:mspace width=".1em"mml:mspace p model. The asymmetry of the confining potential of the double quantum wells results in a gap opening, which is absent in the symmetric system where it can only be induced by an applied electric field. The bandgap and the subbands are affected by spin-orbit coupling, which is a consequence of the asymmetry of the confining potential. The electron-like and hole-like states are mainly confined in different quantum wells, and the enhanced hybridization between them opens a spin-dependent hybridization gap at a finite in-plane wavevector. We show that both the ratio of the widths of the two quantum wells and the mole fraction of the C d x H g 1 - x Te barrier control both the energy gap between the hole-like states and the hybridization gap. The energy subbands are shown to exhibit inverted ordering, and therefore, a nontrivial topological phase could emerge in the system.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Journal of applied physics / American Institute of Physics. - New York, N.Y., 1937, currens
Publication
New York, N.Y. : American Institute of Physics , 2020
ISSN
0021-8979 [print]
1089-7550 [online]
DOI
10.1063/5.0016069
Volume/pages
128 :6 (2020) , p. 1-8
Article Reference
064301
ISI
000561339300001
Medium
E-only publicatie
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (publisher's version - intranet only)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 14.09.2020
Last edited 13.11.2024
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