Spin correlations in a quasi-one-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

We study the spin correlations in a quasi-one-dimensional electron gas within the self-consistent-field approximation (SCFA). Electrons confined in a parabolic potential restricted to have free motion in one space dimension, and interact via a Coulomb-type potential are assumed to model quantum wires as realized in semiconductor structures. Density and spin-density response of the interacting electron system is investigated where correlation effects beyond the random-phase approximation (RPA) are embodied in the local-field factors. We calculate the spin-dependent pair-correlation functions and effective potentials, and determine the paramagnon dispersion. We find that electron correlation effects signal a paramagnetic instability for rs > 1.5.