Quantum confined Rydberg excitons in reduced dimensions

Abstract

Abstract In this paper we propose first steps towards calculating the energy shifts of confined Rydberg excitons in Cu 2 O quantum wells, wires, and dots. The macroscopic size of Rydberg excitons with high quantum numbers n implies that already μm sized lamellar, wire-like, or box-like structures lead to quantum size effects, which depend on the principal Rydberg quantum number n . Such structures can be fabricated using focused ion beam milling of cuprite crystals. Quantum confinement causes an energy shift of the confined object, which is interesting for quantum technology. We find in our calculations that the Rydberg excitons gain a potential energy in the μeV to meV range due to the quantum confinement. This effect is dependent on the Rydberg exciton size and, thus, the principal quantum number n . The calculated energy shifts in the μeV to meV energy range should be experimentally accessible and detectable.