Cryogenic Strain Application to Two-Dimensional Electron Systems and the Stripe State

• Main Author: McGuyer, Bart Hunter
• Format: Others
• Published: 2006
• Online Access: https://thesis.library.caltech.edu/10446/1/bmcguyer%20ph78%20thesis%20final%20draft.pdf; McGuyer, Bart Hunter (2006) Cryogenic Strain Application to Two-Dimensional Electron Systems and the Stripe State. Senior thesis (Major), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9251GCN. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09212017-211130554 <https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:09212017-211130554>

Electrons confined to move in a plane are collectively known as a two-dimensional electron system (2DES). Engineered GaAs/AlGaAs samples are grown to create 2DESs between internal layers. At very low temperatures and in the presence of a large perpendicular magnetic field, 2DESs have lead to the discovery of striking new physics such as the various quantum Hall effects and a recently discovered anisotropic state. Characterized by a large difference between conduction along two orthogonal in-plane crystal axes, the anisotropic state is referred to as the stripe state due to the suspicion of electron density stripe pattern formation. We present progress towards probing the physics of the stripe state through in situ application of strain on GaAs/AlGaAs samples using commercial piezo-actuators. This experiment will provide further insight into the orientational mechanism that serves to align the stripe state anisotropy axes.