Zeeman splitting of interacting two-dimensional electrons with two effective masses

TL;DR

This study investigates the Zeeman splitting in a two-dimensional AlAs electron system with two valleys of different effective masses, revealing how interactions influence spin properties and Landau level crossings.

Contribution

It demonstrates the behavior of spin susceptibility and g-factor in a multi-valley 2D electron system under quantum Hall conditions, highlighting interaction effects.

Findings

Observation of resistivity spikes and persistent gaps at Landau level crossings.

Rapid drop in spin susceptibility after minority valley occupation.

Electrons exhibit a single interaction-enhanced g-factor despite valley differences.

Abstract

We have realized an AlAs two-dimensional electron system in which electrons occupy conduction-band valleys with different Fermi contours and effective masses. In the quantum Hall regime, we observe both resistivity spikes and persistent gaps at crossings between the Landau levels originating from these two valleys. From the positions of the spikes in tilted magnetic field and measurements of the energy gaps away from the crossings, we find that, after occupation of the minority valley, the spin susceptibility drops rapidly, and the electrons possess a {\it single} interaction-enhanced g-factor, despite the dissimilarity of the two occupied valleys.