Molecular states in double quantum wells: Nanochemistry for metatmaterials with new optical properties

Rafael M. Gutierrez, Arcesio Castañeda

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Quantum mechanics explains the existence and properties of the chemical bond responsible for the formation of molecules from isolated atoms. In this work we study quantum states of Double Quantum Wells, DQW, formed from isolated Single Quantum Wells, SQWs, that can be considered metamaterials. Using the quantum chemistry definition of the covalent bond, we discuss molecular states in DQW as a kind of nanochemistry of metamaterials with new properties, in particular new optical properties. An important particularity of such nanochemistry, is the possible experimental control of the geometrical parameters and effective masses characterizing the semiconductor heterostructures represented by the corresponding DQW. This implies a great potential for new applications of the controlled optical properties of the metamaterials. The use of ab initio methods of intensive numerical calculations permits to obtain macroscopic optical properties of the metamaterials from the fundamental components: the spatial distribution of the atoms and molecules constituting the semiconductor layers. The metamaterial new optical properties emerge from the coexistence of many body processes at atomic and molecular level and complex quantum phenomena such as covalent-like bonds at nanometric dimensions.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationMetamaterials
Subtitle of host publicationFundamentals and Applications II
DOIs
StatePublished - 2009
EventMetamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications II - San Diego, CA, United States
Duration: Aug 2 2009Aug 5 2009

Publication series

NameProceedings of SPIE - The International Society for Optical Engineering
Volume7392
ISSN (Print)0277-786X

Conference

ConferenceMetamaterials: Fundamentals and Applications II
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySan Diego, CA
Period8/2/098/5/09

Keywords

  • Ab initio calculations
  • Covalent bond
  • Nanoscience
  • Optical properties
  • Quantum wells

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Computer Science Applications
  • Applied Mathematics
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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