Modulating the band gap of germanane nanoribbons for quantum well devices

The effective modulation of the band gaps in nanostructures is of both fundamental and technological interest because a tunable band gap gives great flexibility in the design and optimization of nanodevices. Using density functional theory calculations, we have shown that germanane nanoribbons of various widths or under various strains can provide rich band gaps. Width- and strain-induced changes in the band gaps of germanane nanoribbons result from a reduction in quantum confinement with width and the weakening of sp(3) hybridization with strain, respectively. Both changes represent a monotonous relationship. To utilize such a monotonous change in band gap, we designed a quantum well based on germanane nanoribbons in which photoexcited electrons and holes occupy the same spatial region, resulting in a desirable light-emitting device.