Optical spectra of nitride quantum dots: Quantum confinement and electron-hole coupling

We calculate the optical properties of nitride-based quantum dots by taking into account quantum confinement as well as electron-hole interaction. We analyze model structures simulating InxGa1-xN dots in InyGa1-yN layers with different alloy compositions. We discuss the trends with the dot size and show that quantum confined excitations exist for a broad range of sizes down to the smallest observed dots. Our results allow us to identify the strong role of Coulomb correlations in the optical spectra and to predict a strong influence of photoexcitation power on selection rules in polarized samples. The signature of quantum confinement can be utilized for a critical interpretation of measured optical spectra. (C) 1999 American Institute of Physics. [S0003-6951(99)03448-8].