Single-electron states and conductance in lateral-surface superlattices

The electronic properties of a two-dimensional lateral-surface superlattice are simulated by using the split-operator technique based on the solution of the time-dependent Schrödinger equation involving the propagation of the wave functions in the imaginary time domain. The two-dimensional dispersion relation and the density of states are derived and the transport characteristics of the system are calculated in linear-response theory. The results compare well with recent experimental data and show clear evidence of single-electron states in the system.