Imaging electrons in a magnetic field

TL;DR

This paper proposes a simulation-based imaging technique using a charged tip in a scanning probe microscope to visualize electron flow in a 2DEG under magnetic fields, aiding spintronics and quantum device development.

Contribution

It introduces a forward scattering imaging mechanism suitable for magnetic fields, enabling visualization of electron trajectories in a 2DEG with a low temperature scanning probe.

Findings

Simulation shows tip position affects electron transmission from A to B.

Forward scattering imaging is effective in magnetic fields, unlike previous backscattering methods.

Technique can image cyclotron orbits in electron focusing geometries.

Abstract

We present simulations of an imaging mechanism that reveals the trajectories of electrons in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG), as well as simulations of the electron flow in zero and small magnetic fields. The end goal of this work is to implement the proposed mechanism to image the flow of electrons inside a ballistic electron device from one specific point (A) to another (B) in a 2DEG, using a low temperature scanning probe microscope with a charged tip. The tip changes the electron density in the 2DEG beneath it and deflects the electrons traveling nearby, thereby changing the conductance from point A to point B. The simulations presented here show that by measuring the transmission of electrons from A to B versus tip position, one can image the electron flow. This forward scattering mechanism is well suited for imaging in a magnetic field, in contrast to previous probes that depended on backscattering. One could use this technique to image cyclotron orbits in an electron focusing geometry, in which electrons travel from point A to point B in semi-circular paths bouncing along a wall. Imaging the motion of electrons in magnetic fields is useful for the development of devices for spintronics and quantum information processing.