Electrical detection of optically induced charge storage in self-assembled InAs quantum dots

Abstract

Spectrally resolved photoresistance investigations of charge storage effects in self-assembled InAs quantum dots (QDs) are reported. Resonant optical excitation of the QDs produces a strong increase of the lateral resistance of a spatially separated electron channel (ΔR) which reflects the stored charge density. This photoresponse is persistent for many hours at 145 K and can be controllably reversed electrically. Pronounced oscillations observed in the spectral variation ΔR are shown to reflect the excitation spectrum of the QD ensemble showing resonances that arise from both direct and phonon-assisted absorption processes.