Fuzzy band structure of quantum dots by Bloch Orbital Expansion, unconventional insights into geometry-electronic structure relations

Fuente: arXiv
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Main Authors: Hens, Zeger, Llusar, Jordi, Infante, Ivan
Format: Preprint
Published: 2026
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author Hens, Zeger
Llusar, Jordi
Infante, Ivan
author_facet Hens, Zeger
Llusar, Jordi
Infante, Ivan
contents The extension of ab-initio methods like density functional theory (DFT) to quantum dot (QD) geometries has enabled researchers to explore relationships between QD surface termination and electronic structure. However, fully utilizing the data from DFT requires novel classification methods for QD orbitals. Here, we identify relationships between QD geometry and electronic structure by transforming real-space QD orbitals into momentum-space using Bloch orbital expansion (BOE), yielding a fuzzy QD band structure. Comparing with bulk band structures, we show that truncated, unpassivated facets in III-V and II-VI QDs produce mid-gap orbitals derived from bulk surface orbitals; an identification challenging in real space. QDs with reconstructed facets, however, feature delocalized orbitals formed by superposition of bulk Bloch orbitals. Moreover, we prepare for the first time atomistic core/shell QD models and by the BOE expansion we can clearly identify the core/shell band alignment not possible in real space. These findings emphasize BOE as a vital tool for connecting computational and experimental insights in nanocrystal research.
format Preprint
id arxiv_https___arxiv_org_abs_2605_16055
institution arXiv
publishDate 2026
record_format arxiv
spellingShingle Fuzzy band structure of quantum dots by Bloch Orbital Expansion, unconventional insights into geometry-electronic structure relations
Hens, Zeger
Llusar, Jordi
Infante, Ivan
Materials Science
The extension of ab-initio methods like density functional theory (DFT) to quantum dot (QD) geometries has enabled researchers to explore relationships between QD surface termination and electronic structure. However, fully utilizing the data from DFT requires novel classification methods for QD orbitals. Here, we identify relationships between QD geometry and electronic structure by transforming real-space QD orbitals into momentum-space using Bloch orbital expansion (BOE), yielding a fuzzy QD band structure. Comparing with bulk band structures, we show that truncated, unpassivated facets in III-V and II-VI QDs produce mid-gap orbitals derived from bulk surface orbitals; an identification challenging in real space. QDs with reconstructed facets, however, feature delocalized orbitals formed by superposition of bulk Bloch orbitals. Moreover, we prepare for the first time atomistic core/shell QD models and by the BOE expansion we can clearly identify the core/shell band alignment not possible in real space. These findings emphasize BOE as a vital tool for connecting computational and experimental insights in nanocrystal research.
title Fuzzy band structure of quantum dots by Bloch Orbital Expansion, unconventional insights into geometry-electronic structure relations
topic Materials Science
url https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.16055