Imaging coherent electron wave flow in a two-dimensional electron gas

M. A. Topinka; B. J. LeRoy; R. M. Westervelt; K. D. Maranowski; A. C. Gossard

doi:10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7

Imaging coherent electron wave flow in a two-dimensional electron gas

M. A. Topinka, B. J. LeRoy, R. M. Westervelt, K. D. Maranowski, A. C. Gossard

Research output: Contribution to journal › Conference article › peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

We present images of coherent electron wave flow from a quantum point contact (QPC) formed in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Near the QPC these images closely resemble the expected wavefunctions for electrons passing through the lowest transverse modes of the QPC. Farther away from the QPC the flow through the 2DEG bulk shows strong branching behavior. The branching behavior is due to the cumulative effect of electrons passing over many small bumps and dips in the potential that they feel in the 2DEG. All of the images are decorated with fringes spaced by half the Fermi wavelength that persist out to the edges of the areas scanned. Images showing the effect of moving the position of the QPC are also presented.

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	678-683
Number of pages	6
Journal	Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures
Volume	12
Issue number	1-4
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7
State	Published - Jan 2002
Externally published	Yes
Event	14th International Conference on the - Prague, Czech Republic Duration: Jul 30 2001 → Aug 3 2001

Keywords

Mesoscopic physics
Quantum point contact
Scanning probe microscopy

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Electronic, Optical and Magnetic Materials
Atomic and Molecular Physics, and Optics
Condensed Matter Physics

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10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7

Cite this

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title = "Imaging coherent electron wave flow in a two-dimensional electron gas",

abstract = "We present images of coherent electron wave flow from a quantum point contact (QPC) formed in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Near the QPC these images closely resemble the expected wavefunctions for electrons passing through the lowest transverse modes of the QPC. Farther away from the QPC the flow through the 2DEG bulk shows strong branching behavior. The branching behavior is due to the cumulative effect of electrons passing over many small bumps and dips in the potential that they feel in the 2DEG. All of the images are decorated with fringes spaced by half the Fermi wavelength that persist out to the edges of the areas scanned. Images showing the effect of moving the position of the QPC are also presented.",

keywords = "Mesoscopic physics, Quantum point contact, Scanning probe microscopy",

author = "Topinka, {M. A.} and LeRoy, {B. J.} and Westervelt, {R. M.} and Maranowski, {K. D.} and Gossard, {A. C.}",

year = "2002",

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doi = "10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7",

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journal = "Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures",

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number = "1-4",

note = "14th International Conference on the ; Conference date: 30-07-2001 Through 03-08-2001",

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TY - JOUR

T1 - Imaging coherent electron wave flow in a two-dimensional electron gas

AU - Topinka, M. A.

AU - LeRoy, B. J.

AU - Westervelt, R. M.

AU - Maranowski, K. D.

AU - Gossard, A. C.

PY - 2002/1

Y1 - 2002/1

N2 - We present images of coherent electron wave flow from a quantum point contact (QPC) formed in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Near the QPC these images closely resemble the expected wavefunctions for electrons passing through the lowest transverse modes of the QPC. Farther away from the QPC the flow through the 2DEG bulk shows strong branching behavior. The branching behavior is due to the cumulative effect of electrons passing over many small bumps and dips in the potential that they feel in the 2DEG. All of the images are decorated with fringes spaced by half the Fermi wavelength that persist out to the edges of the areas scanned. Images showing the effect of moving the position of the QPC are also presented.

AB - We present images of coherent electron wave flow from a quantum point contact (QPC) formed in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). Near the QPC these images closely resemble the expected wavefunctions for electrons passing through the lowest transverse modes of the QPC. Farther away from the QPC the flow through the 2DEG bulk shows strong branching behavior. The branching behavior is due to the cumulative effect of electrons passing over many small bumps and dips in the potential that they feel in the 2DEG. All of the images are decorated with fringes spaced by half the Fermi wavelength that persist out to the edges of the areas scanned. Images showing the effect of moving the position of the QPC are also presented.

KW - Mesoscopic physics

KW - Quantum point contact

KW - Scanning probe microscopy

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UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=0035239446&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7

DO - 10.1016/S1386-9477(01)00375-7

M3 - Conference article

AN - SCOPUS:0035239446

SN - 1386-9477

VL - 12

SP - 678

EP - 683

JO - Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

JF - Physica E: Low-Dimensional Systems and Nanostructures

IS - 1-4

T2 - 14th International Conference on the

Y2 - 30 July 2001 through 3 August 2001

ER -

Imaging coherent electron wave flow in a two-dimensional electron gas

Abstract

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

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