Spatial ordering of charge and spin in quasi one-dimensional Wigner molecules

Abstract

ew-electron systems confined in quasi one-dimensional quantum dots are studied by the configuration interaction approach. We consider the parity symmetry of states forming Wigner molecules in large quantum dots and find that for the spin-polarized Wigner molecules it strictly depends on the number of electrons. We investigate the spatial spin-ordering in the inner coordinates of the quantum system and conclude that for small dots it has a short-range character and results mainly from the Pauli exclusion principle while the Wigner crystallization in large dots is accompanied by spin ordering over the entire length of the dot.

to appear in PRB in June 2004