The role of momentum conservation on the tunneling between a two-dimensional electron gas and self-assembled quantum dots.

The electron tunneling rates between a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) and self-assembled InAs quantum dots are studied by applying a magnetic field perpendicular to the tunneling direction. For both the ground and the first excited states, the tunneling rate can be modified by a magnetic field. The field dependence of both the s and p state tunneling rates can be explained with a model, based on momentum matching between the Fermi surface of the 2DEG and the wave function of the quantum dots in momentum space. The results, together with the comparison between charging and discharging rates, provide insight into the filling sequence of the p-state electrons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]