Imaging electrons in a magnetic field

• Published in: Physica. E, Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures Low-dimensional systems & nanostructures, 2006-08, Vol.34 (1), p.409-412
• Main Authors: Aidala, Katherine E., Parrott, Robert E., Heller, E.J., Westervelt, R.M.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Condensed matter: electronic structure, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties; Electronic transport in condensed matter; Exact sciences and technology; Imaging; Magnetic focusing; Physics; Scanning probe microscopy; Spin polarized transport; Two-dimensional electron gas
• ISSN: 1386-9477; 1873-1759
• DOI: 10.1016/j.physe.2006.03.107

We present simulations of an imaging mechanism that reveals the trajectories of electrons in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), as well as simulations of the electron flow in zero and small magnetic fields. The end goal of this work is to implement the proposed mechanism to image the flow of electrons inside a ballistic electron device from one specific point (A) to another (B) in a 2DEG, using a low-temperature scanning probe microscope with a charged tip. The tip changes the electron density in the 2DEG beneath it and deflects the electrons traveling nearby, thereby changing the conductance from point A to point B. The simulations presented here show that by measuring the transmission of electrons from A to B versus tip position, one can image the electron flow. This forward scattering mechanism is well suited for imaging in a magnetic field, in contrast to previous probes that depended on backscattering. One could use this technique to image cyclotron orbits in an electron-focusing geometry, in which electrons travel from point A to point B in semi-circular paths bouncing along a wall. Imaging the motion of electrons in magnetic fields is useful for the development of devices for spintronics and quantum information processing.