Various spin-polarization states beyond the maximum-density droplet: a quantum Monte Carlo study

Using a variational quantum Monte Carlo method, the effect of Landau-level mixing on the lowest-energy–state diagram of small quantum dots is studied in the magnetic-field range where the density of magnetic flux quanta just exceeds the density of electrons. An accurate analytical many-body wave function is constructed for various angular momentum and spin states in the lowest Landau level, and Landau-level mixing is then introduced using a Jastrow factor. The effect of higher Landau levels is shown to be significant; the transition lines are shifted considerably towards higher values of magnetic field and certain lowest-energy states vanish altogether.