Stabilization of a two-dimensional quantum electron solid in perpendicular magnetic fields

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates that perpendicular magnetic fields stabilize a quantum electron solid in ultra-clean two-dimensional electron systems, extending the conditions under which it persists and revealing new insights into electron solid behavior.

Contribution

It provides experimental evidence that perpendicular magnetic fields promote the stability of a quantum electron solid in two-dimensional systems, a novel finding in condensed matter physics.

Findings

Magnetic fields lower the voltage thresholds for insulating behavior.

Quantum electron solid persists at higher electron densities with magnetic fields.

Magnetic fields extend the stability regime of the electron solid.

Abstract

We find that the double-threshold voltage-current characteristics in the insulating regime in the ultra-clean two-valley two-dimensional electron system in SiGe/Si/SiGe quantum wells are promoted by perpendicular magnetic fields, persisting to an order of magnitude lower voltages and considerably higher electron densities compared to the zero-field case. This observation indicates the perpendicular-magnetic-field stabilization of the quantum electron solid.