Observation of linear-polarization-sensitivity in the microwave-radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that in a GaAs/AlGaAs system, microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations exhibit a strong dependence on the linear polarization orientation of the microwaves relative to the current, affecting oscillation amplitudes.

Contribution

We reveal a clear linear-polarization sensitivity in microwave-induced magnetoresistance oscillations, highlighting the importance of polarization orientation in such phenomena.

Findings

Oscillation amplitudes vary with microwave polarization angle.

Frequency and phase of oscillations are polarization-insensitive.

Polarization affects the amplitude but not the phase or frequency.

Abstract

In the quasi two-dimensional GaAs/AlGaAs system, we investigate the effect of rotating \textit{in-situ} the electric field of linearly polarized microwaves relative to the current, on the microwave-radiation-induced magneto-resistance oscillations. We find that the frequency and the phase of the photo-excited magneto-resistance oscillations are insensitive to the polarization. On the other hand, the amplitudes of the magnetoresistance oscillations are remarkably responsive to the relative orientation between the microwave antenna and the current-axis in the specimen. The results suggest a striking linear-polarization-sensitivity in the radiation-induced magnetoresistance oscillations.