Imaging the electron wave function in self-assembled quantum dots

Magnetotunneling spectroscopy is used as a noninvasive and nondestructive p robe to produce two-dimensional spatial images of the probability density o f an electron confined in a self-assembled semiconductor quantum dot, The t echnique exploits the effect of the classical Lorentz force on the motion o f a tunneling electron and can be regarded as the momentum (k) space analog of scanning tunneling microscopy imaging. The images reveal the elliptical symmetry of the ground state and the characteristic Lobes of the higher en ergy states.