Ground State of Coupled Quantum Wires

The ground states of interacting electrons in coupled quantum wires are analyzed on the basis of the density functional theory. The exchange-correlation potential is calculated from 'exact' results given by the Green's function Monte Carlo method in two and three dimensions. It is shown that the critical density signifying the change from symmetrical to asymmetrical ground state is weakly dependent on the details of the exchange-correlation potential. These critical values are compared with the result of the three-dimensional analysis for a single wire.