Reorientation of the Stripe Phase of 2D Electrons by a Minute Density Modulation

M. A. Mueed, Md Shafayat Hossain, L. N. Pfeiffer, K. W. West, K. W. Baldwin, M. Shayegan

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Interacting two-dimensional electrons confined in a GaAs quantum well exhibit isotropic transport when the Fermi level resides in the first excited (N=1) Landau level. Adding an in-plane magnetic field (B||) typically leads to an anisotropic, stripelike (nematic) phase of electrons with the stripes oriented perpendicular to the B|| direction. Our experimental data reveal how a periodic density modulation, induced by a surface strain grating from strips of negative electron-beam resist, competes against the B||-induced orientational order of the stripe phase. Even a minute (<0.25%) density modulation is sufficient to reorient the stripes along the direction of the surface grating.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number076803
JournalPhysical review letters
Volume117
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 11 2016

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Physics and Astronomy

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