Transport Detection of Whirlpools in GaAs Electron Liquid

TL;DR

This paper demonstrates the formation of steady-state whirlpools in a GaAs electron liquid through transport measurements, confirming hydrodynamic behavior and exploring its limits.

Contribution

It provides direct transport evidence of whirlpools in a GaAs electron liquid, validating the hydrodynamic analogy in this system.

Findings

Whirlpools cause negative four-terminal resistance.

The effect scales with the Gurzhi length.

Results confirm hydrodynamic behavior in electron flow.

Abstract

We report the formation of large-scale steady-state whirlpools in a GaAs-based two-dimensional electron liquid and demonstrate them by straightforward transport measurements. A whirlpool forming inside a circular cavity adjoining a wide conducting channel appears as a negative four-terminal resistance over a broad range of temperatures and cavity sizes. The effect scales with the Gurzhi length, in quantitative accord with the hydrodynamic analogy. Obtained results firmly establish this analogy and probe the limits of its applicability.