Real and spurious solutions of the 8x8 k{center_dot}p model for nanostructures

Description/Abstract

Quantum dot wave functions are constructed in the 8x8 k{center_dot}p model from three bulk states: k{sub 1}, k{sub 2}, and k{sub 3}. We found that the 8x8 k{center_dot}p k{sub 2} bulk state (far from {gamma}, belonging to the electron-light hole bands) does not exist in the more realistic atomistic pseudopotential calculation. As a result, 8x8 k{center_dot}p nanostructure solutions which critically depend on this k{sub 2} bulk state are spurious. These include the 8x8 k{center_dot}p quantum dot band gap ''intrinsic'' surface states and oscillating hole states. On the other hand, if the contribution of this k{sub 2} state is small and decays with increasing nanostructure size, the corresponding nanostructure state is real. (c) 2000 The American Physical Society.