We compute the self-consistent electron states and confining potential, V(r,T), for laterally confined cylindrical quantum wires at a temperature T from a numerical solution of the coupled Poisson and Schrödinger (PS) equations. Finite-temperature effects are included in the electron density function, n(r,T), via the single-particle density matrix in the grand-canonical ensemble using the self-consistent bound states. We compare our results for a GaAs quantum wire with those obtained previously [J. H. Luscombe and M. Luban, Appl. Phys. Lett. 57, 61 (1990)] from a finite-temperature Thomas-Fermi (TF) approximation. We find that the TF results agree well with those of the more realistic, but also more computationally intensive PS theory, except for low temperatures or for cases where the quantum wire is almost, but not totally, depleted due to a combination of either small geometry, surface boundary conditions, or low doping concentrations. In the latter situations, the number of subbands that are populated is relatively small, and both n(r,T) and V(r,T) exhibit Friedel-type oscillations. Otherwise the TF theory, which is based on free-particle states, is remarkably accurate. We also present results for the partial electron density functions associated with the angular momentum quantum numbers, and discuss their role in populating the quantum wire.

• Received 9 July 1992

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevB.46.10262