Giant, level-dependent g factors in InSb nanowire quantum dots

Nano Lett. 2009 Sep;9(9):3151-6. doi: 10.1021/nl901333a.

Abstract

We report on magnetotransport measurements on InSb nanowire quantum dots. The measurements show that the quantum levels of the InSb quantum dots have giant g factors, with absolute values up to approximately 70, the largest value ever reported for semiconductor quantum dots. We also observe that the values of these g factors are quantum level dependent and can differ strongly between different quantum levels. The presence of giant g factors indicates that considerable contributions from the orbital motion of electrons are preserved in the measured InSb nanowire quantum dots, while the level-to-level fluctuations arise from spin-orbit interaction. We have deduced a value of Delta(SO) = 280 mueV for the strength of spin-orbit interaction from an avoided level crossing between the ground state and first excited state of an InSb nanowire quantum dot with a fixed number of electrons.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Antimony / chemistry*
  • Electrons
  • Indium / chemistry*
  • Materials Testing
  • Nanotechnology
  • Nanowires / chemistry*
  • Particle Size
  • Quantum Dots*
  • Quantum Theory
  • Semiconductors
  • Silicon / chemistry
  • Surface Properties

Substances

  • Indium
  • Antimony
  • Silicon