Dimensionality transition in GaAs/GaAlAs quantum wire arrays

We present investigations of the optical properties of quantum wire arrays grown on vicinal surfaces with lateral periods between 8 nm and 32 nm. Because of the decreasing tunnelling between adjacent wires when the lateral periodicity gets larger, the dimensionality changes from two to one. This has been evidenced, experimentally and theoretically, by a red-shift of the photoluminescence and by the appearance of spectral polarization oscillations which are indicative of one-dimensional subbands.