Electronic properties of polar and semi-polar dot-in-a-well heterostructures

We use a symmetry-adapted formalism to compute the elastic, piezoelectric, and electronic properties of polar and semi-polar dot-in-a-well (DWELL) systems. Our simulations reveal a reduced spatial separation of electron and hole ground state wave functions in semi-polar DWELL systems compared to their polar counterparts. This originates in part from the strongly reduced built-in potentials and in part from changes in the built-in potential profile. Our findings thus indicate superior recombination rates of semi-polar DWELLs, making these systems highly promising for future optoelectronic devices.