Laterally aligned quantum rings: From one-dimensional chains to two-dimensional arrays.

We present the fabrication of ordered quantum rings by the conversion of partially capped quantum dots. Morphological transformation of quantum dots to quantum rings is demonstrated by partially capping self-assembled quantum dots. Quantum rings have been fabricated on high index surfaces by this growth technique. The lateral ordering of quantum rings is introduced by engineering the strain field of a multi-layer InGaAs superlattice template. By using high index surfaces, the one-dimensional ordering of quantum rings on GaAs (100) surface was observed to evolve into two-dimensional aligned quantum ring arrays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]