Electronic states of laterally coupled quantum rings

The conduction band electron states of laterally-coupled semiconductor quantum rings are studied within the frame of the effective mass envelope function theory. We consider the effect of axial and in-plane magnetic fields for several inter-ring distances, and find strong changes in the energy spectrum depending on the coupling regime. Our results indicate that the magnetic response accurately monitors the quantum ring molecule dissociation process. Moreover, the anisotropic response of the electron states to in-plane magnetic fields provides information on the orientation of the quantum ring molecule.