Seminars & Events

Computations In Science Seminar
"Formation of Quantum Dots: From Step-Flow Growth to Self-Assembly"

DATE: August 22, 2007
TIME: 12:30 p.m.
SPEAKER: Margo Levine
LOCATION: KPTC 206, University of Chicago

Description:
The fabrication and properties of semiconductor quantum dots has received significant attention in recent years due to their potential application in a wide range of nanoscale integrated systems (diodes, filters, etc). One feature of quantum dots is that they can form spontaneously, or self-assemble, as the result of an instability when a thin solid film is deposited onto a solid substrate. We first
investigate the self-assembly of quantum dots in a thin solid film caused by epitaxial stress and wetting interactions between the film and the substrate. We derive an evolution equation that governs the shape of the film surface and show that the presence of wetting interactions can lead to the formation of spatially regular arrays of
quantum dots. We then consider the growth of a thin solid film by molecular beam epitaxy which precedes the formation of quantum dots. For the case of Levy flights, we develop the analog theory of step- flow growth and determine the step-flow velocity as a function of the terrace length.

More Information:
Discussion over bag-lunch at 12:15 p.m.
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