Gate-defined coupled quantum dots in topological insulators

Abstract: We consider electrostatically coupled quantum dots in topological insulators, otherwise confined and gapped by a magnetic texture. By numerically solving the (2+1) Dirac equation for the wave packet dynamics, we extract the energy spectrum of the coupled dots as a function of bias-controlled coupling and an external perpendicular magnetic field. We show that the tunneling energy can be controlled to a large extent by the electrostatic barrier potential. Particularly interesting is the coupling via Klein tunneling through a resonant valence state of the barrier. The effective three-level system nicely maps to a model Hamiltonian, from which we extract the Klein coupling between the confined conduction and valence dots levels. For large enough magnetic fields Klein tunneling can be completely blocked due to the enhanced localization of the degenerate Landau levels formed in the quantum dots.