Anomalous nematic-to-stripe phase transition driven by in-plane magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper shows that applying an in-plane magnetic field to ultraclean two-dimensional electron gases destroys anomalous nematic states and restores quantum Hall stripe phases, clarifying their distinct nature.

Contribution

It demonstrates that in-plane magnetic fields can selectively suppress anomalous nematic states, revealing their difference from traditional quantum Hall stripe phases.

Findings

In-plane magnetic fields destroy anomalous nematic states.

Restoration of native quantum Hall stripe phases occurs under magnetic fields.

Anomalous nematic states are confirmed as distinct from other ground states.

Abstract

Anomalous nematic states, recently discovered in ultraclean two-dimensional electron gas, emerge from quantum Hall stripe phases upon further cooling. These states are hallmarked by a local minimum (maximum) in the hard (easy) longitudinal resistance and by an incipient plateau in the Hall resistance in nearly half-filled Landau levels. Here, we demonstrate that a modest in-plane magnetic field, applied either along $\left < 110 \right >$ or $\left < 1\bar10 \right >$ crystal axis of GaAs, destroys anomalous nematic states and restores quantum Hall stripe phases aligned along their native $\left < 110 \right >$ direction. These findings confirm that anomalous nematic states are distinct from other ground states and will assist future theories to identify their origin.