Path to Wigner localization in circular quantum dots

Abstract

Accurate multideterminant ground-state energies of circular quantum dots containing $N\ensuremath{\le}13$ electrons as a function of interaction strength have been evaluated by the diffusion quantum Monte Carlo method. Two unique features are found for these confined two-dimensional systems: (1) as the electron density decreases, the quantum dots favor states with zero orbital angular momentum $(L=0)$; and (2) for some values of $N$, the ground state cannot be fully spin-polarized because of a symmetry constraint.