Interdependence of ICD rates in paired quantum dots on geometry

Using state-of-the-art antisymmetrized multiconfiguration time-dependent Hartree (MCTDH) electron dynamics calculations we study the interdependence of the intermolecular Coulombic decay (ICD) process on the geometric parameters of a doubly-charged paired quantum dot (PQD) model system in the framework of the effective mass approximation (EMA). We find that ICD displays a maximum rate for a certain geometry of the electron-emitting quantum dot, which is simultaneously dependent on both the distance between the quantum dots as well as the photon-absorbing quantum dot's geometry. The rate maximum is shown to be caused by the competing effects of polarization of electron density and Coulomb repulsion. The ICD rate-maximized PQD geometry in GaAs QDs yields a decay time of 102.39 ps. It is given by two vertically-aligned cylindrical QDs with radii of 14.42 nm separated by 86.62 nm. The photon absorbing QD then has a height of 46.59 nm and the electron emitting QD a height of 16.33 nm. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.