Cavity QED Control of Quantum Hall Stripes

TL;DR

This study demonstrates that cavity quantum electrodynamics (QED) can be used to control and stabilize quantum Hall stripe phases in a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas, revealing cavity-induced anisotropies in electronic transport.

Contribution

First experimental demonstration of cavity QED controlling a correlated electronic phase, specifically quantum Hall stripes, in a 2D electron system.

Findings

Cavity-induced anisotropies in electronic transport observed

Suppression of longitudinal resistance below zero-field resistivity

Stabilization of thermally-disordered quantum Hall stripes by cavity effects

Abstract

Controlling quantum phases of materials with vacuum field fluctuations in engineered cavities is a novel route towards the optical control of emergent phenomena. We demonstrate, using magnetotransport measurements of a high-mobility two-dimensional electron gas, striking cavity-induced anisotropies in the electronic transport, including the suppression of the longitudinal resistance well below the resistivity at zero magnetic field. Our cavity-induced effects occur at ultra-low temperatures (< 200 mK) when the magnetic field lies between quantized Hall plateaus. We interpret our results as arising from the stabilization of thermally-disordered quantum Hall stripes. Our work presents a clear demonstration of the cavity QED control of a correlated electronic phase.