Quantum wires are artificial structures characterized by nanoscale cross sections that contain charged particles moving along a single degree of freedom. With electronic motions constrained into standing modes along with the two other spatial directions, they have been primarily investigated for their unidimensional dynamics of quantum-confined charge carriers, which eventually led to broad applications in large-scale nanoelectronics. This book is a compilation of articles that span more than 30 years of research on developing comprehensive physical models that describe the physical properties of these unidimensional semiconductor structures. The articles address the effect of quantum confinement on lattice vibrations, carrier scattering rates, and charge transport as well as present practical examples of solutions to the Boltzmann equation by analytical techniques and by numerical simulations such as the Monte Carlo method. The book also presents topics on quantum transport and spin effects in unidimensional molecular structures such as carbon nanotubes and graphene nanoribbons in terms of non-equilibrium Green’s function approaches and density functional theory.

Presents a comprehensive study of the physical models for quantum dots (QDs) Discusses the properties of QDs and their applications Suggests ways to fine tune the electronic properties of QDs for specific applications Will be helpful for solid state physicists, material scientists, and engineers

The success of spintronics - the science and technology of storing, processing, sensing and communicating information using the quantum mechanical spin degree of freedom of an electron - is critically dependent on the ability to inject, detect and manipulate spins in semiconductors either by incorporating ferromagnetic materials into device architectures or by using external magnetic and electric fields. In spintronics, the controlled generation and manipulation of spin polarization in nonmagnetic semiconductors is required for the design of spin-sensitive devices ranging from spin-qubit hosts, quantum memory and gates, quantum teleporters, spin polarizers and filters, spin-field-effect-transistors, and spin-splitters, among others. One of the major challenges of spintronics is to control the creation, manipulation, and detection of spin polarized currents by purely electrical means. Another challenge is to preserve spin coherence in a device for the longest time or over the longest distance in order to produce reliable spintronic processors. These challenges remain daunting, but some progress has been made recently in overcoming some of the steepest obstacles. This book covers some of the recent advances in the field of spintronics using semiconductors.