Electron Structure Near Abrupt Edges in 2DEG under Strong Magnetic Field

TL;DR

This paper investigates the electronic structure near abrupt edges in a 2D electron gas under strong magnetic fields, revealing steplike energy spectra and new density of states features due to sharp confinement.

Contribution

It introduces a finite step potential barrier model to analyze edge states, uncovering novel steplike spectral features and energy gap reductions not seen in smooth confinement models.

Findings

Edge spectrum becomes steplike near abrupt barriers

Significant energy gap reduction between Landau levels

Manifestation of new density of states features in experiments

Abstract

Energies and wave functions of edge states in twodimensional electron gas are evaluated for a finite step potential barrier model. The spectrum, instead of smooth bending of Landau branches in the vicinity of the barrier acquires a steplike form; unexpected edge plateaus and significant energy gap reduction take place between the neighbouring Landau branches above the barrier tops. The origin of these phenomena is traced. Stability with respect to modifications is established. Manifestation of the qualitatively new features of electron densities of states in abrupt confinements through magnetooptical and nuclear magnetic spin relaxation effects is proposed.