Spin incoherent transport in density-modulated quantum wires

TL;DR

This paper investigates electron transport in density-modulated quantum wires, revealing spin-incoherent behavior and evidence for Wigner Crystal formation at low densities through conductance measurements.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence linking the 0.7 conductance structure to spin-incoherent transport and Wigner Crystal formation in low-density quantum wires.

Findings

Negative conductance correction at low densities

Clearer resolution of the 0.7 structure at low densities

Suppression of the 0.7 structure in a magnetic field

Abstract

Density, temperature and magnetic field dependences on electron transport in a quantum wire were studied. Decrease of carrier density gives a negative conductance correction on the first plateau at low temperatures. The prominent and mysterious "0.7 structure" is more clearly resolved at low densities. The thermal behavior of the conductance follows the predictions of the spin-incoherent transport. The 0.7 structure at a low density drops to $e^2/h$ in a smaller in-plane magnetic field. The features are qualitatively consistent with the theoretical predictions and provide evidence for the existence of Wigner Crystal in low density quantum wires.