Nonequilibrium transport in density-modulated phases of the second Landau level

TL;DR

This study explores non-equilibrium transport phenomena in reentrant integer quantum Hall phases of the second Landau level, revealing asymmetric transitions and potential symmetry breaking that could impact understanding of quantum Hall states at filling factor 5/2.

Contribution

It uncovers distinct transition behaviors on electron and hole sides, suggesting complex bubble phase structures or particle-hole symmetry breaking in the second Landau level.

Findings

Hole bubble phases transition sharply to isotropic compressible phase.

Electron side transition involves an intermediate phase.

Asymmetry indicates possible symmetry breaking affecting quantum Hall physics.

Abstract

We investigate non-equilibrium transport in the reentrant integer quantum Hall phases of the second Landau level. At high currents, we observe a transition from the reentrant integer quantum Hall phases to classical Hall-conduction. Surprisingly, this transition is markedly different for the hole- and electron sides of each spin-branch. While the hole bubble phases exhibit a sharp transition to an isotropic compressible phase, the transition for the electron side occurs via an intermediate phase. This might indicate a more complex structure of the bubble phases than currently anticipated, or a breaking of the particle-hole symmetry. Such a symmetry breaking in the second Landau level might also have consequences for the physics at filling factor $\nu$=5/2.