2,772 research outputs found
Novel metallic and insulating states at a bent quantum Hall junction
A non-planar geometry for the quantum Hall (QH) effect is studied, whereby
two quantum Hall (QH) systems are joined at a sharp right angle. When both
facets are at equal filling factor nu the junction hosts a channel with
non-quantized conductance, dependent on nu. The state is metallic at nu = 1/3,
with conductance along the junction increasing as the temperature T drops. At
nu = 1, 2 it is strongly insulating, and at nu = 3, 4 shows only weak T
dependence. Upon applying a dc voltage bias along the junction, the
differential conductance again shows three different behaviors. Hartree
calculations of the dispersion at the junction illustrate possible
explanations, and differences from planar QH structures are highlighted.Comment: 5 pages, 4 figures, text + figs revised for clarit
A Holistic Professional Development model for South African physical science teachers
The state of mathematics and science education in South Africa is a cause for concern. This situation can be attributed, in part, to many mathematics and science teachers’ limited content knowledge, ineffective teaching approaches, and unprofessional attitudes. To address these three problem areas simultaneously, a holistic model for the development of Grades 10 to 12 Physical Science teachers was constructed and evaluated against national and international benchmarks. The effects of the model were assessed over a period of four years with 75 teachers. The model was developed in a distance education context, with no face-to-face contact required. It comprises the following elements: a study guide which integrates the development of teachers’ content knowledge, pedagogical content knowledge, cognitive skills and experimental skills; reflective journals; assignments; workshops; peer support and sciencekits. We briefly describe the research that culminated in the Holistic ProfessionalDevelopment (HPD) model, followed by an account of each element of the model. We then present evidence that suggests that the model is effective in helping teachers develop along three desired dimensions, namely, content knowledge, teaching approaches, and professional attitudes
Vertical quantum wire realized with double cleaved-edge overgrowth
A quantum wire is fabricated on (001)-GaAs at the intersection of two
overgrown cleaves. The wire is contacted at each end to n+ GaAs layers via
two-dimensional (2D) leads. A sidegate controls the density of the wire
revealing conductance quantization. The step height is strongly reduced from
2e^2/h due to the 2D-lead series resistance. We characterize the 2D density and
mobility for both cleave facets with four-point measurements. The density on
the first facet is modulated by the substrate potential, depleting a 2um wide
strip that defines the wire length. Micro-photoluminescence shows an extra peak
consistent with 1D electron states at the corner.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
Dynamics of Nucleation in the Ising Model
Reactive pathways to nucleation in a three-dimensional Ising model at 60% of
the critical temperature are studied using transition path sampling of single
spin flip Monte Carlo dynamics. Analysis of the transition state ensemble (TSE)
indicates that the critical nuclei are rough and anisotropic. The TSE,
projected onto the free energy surface characterized by cluster size, N, and
surface area, S, indicates the significance of other variables in addition to
these two traditional reaction coordinates for nucleation. The transmission
coefficient along N is ~ 0.35, and this reduction of the transmission
coefficient from unity is explained in terms of the stochastic nature of the
dynamic model.Comment: In press at the Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 7 pages, 8 figure
Quantum Hall Effect in a Two-Dimensional Electron System Bent by 90 Degrees
Using a new MBE growth technique, we fabricate a two-dimensional electron
system which is bent around an atomically sharp 90 degree corner. In the
quantum Hall regime under tilted magnetic fields, we can measure equilibration
between both co- and counter-propagating edge channels of arbitrary filling
factor ratio. We present here 4-point magnetotransport characterization of the
corner junction with filling factor combinations which can all be explained
using the standard Landauer-Buttiker edge channel picture. The success of this
description confirms the realization of a new type of quantum Hall edge
geometry.Comment: 4 pages, figures included Typographical errors corrected, reference
adde
Aluminum arsenide cleaved-edge overgrown quantum wires
We report conductance measurements in quantum wires made of aluminum
arsenide, a heavy-mass, multi-valley one-dimensional (1D) system. Zero-bias
conductance steps are observed as the electron density in the wire is lowered,
with additional steps observable upon applying a finite dc bias. We attribute
these steps to depopulation of successive 1D subbands. The quantum conductance
is substantially reduced with respect to the anticipated value for a spin- and
valley-degenerate 1D system. This reduction is consistent with
disorder-induced, intra-wire backscattering which suppresses the transmission
of 1D modes. Calculations are presented to demonstrate the role of strain in
the 1D states of this cleaved-edge structure.Comment: Submitted to Applied Physics Letter
Generalized four-point characterization method for resistive and capacitive contacts
In this paper, a four-point characterization method is developed for
resistive samples connected to either resistive or capacitive contacts.
Provided the circuit equivalent of the complete measurement system is known
including coaxial cable and connector capacitances as well as source output and
amplifier input impedances, a frequency range and capacitive scaling factor can
be determined, whereby four-point characterization can be performed. The
technique is demonstrated with a discrete element test sample over a wide
frequency range using lock-in measurement techniques from 1 Hz - 100 kHz. The
data fit well with a circuit simulation of the entire measurement system. A
high impedance preamplifier input stage gives best results, since lock-in input
impedances may differ from manufacturer specifications. The analysis presented
here establishes the utility of capacitive contacts for four-point
characterizations at low frequency.Comment: 21 pages, 10 figure
Nanometer-scale sharpness in corner-overgrown heterostructures
A corner-overgrown GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructure is investigated with
transmission and scanning transmission electron microscopy, demonstrating
self-limiting growth of an extremely sharp corner profile of 3.5 nm width. In
the AlGaAs layers we observe self-ordered diagonal stripes, precipitating
exactly at the corner, which are regions of increased Al content measured by an
XEDS analysis. A quantitative model for self-limited growth is adapted to the
present case of faceted MBE growth, and the corner sharpness is discussed in
relation to quantum confined structures. We note that MBE corner overgrowth
maintains nm-sharpness even after microns of growth, allowing the realization
of corner-shaped nanostructures.Comment: 4 pages, 3 figure
Fermi liquid to Luttinger liquid transition at the edge of a two-dimensional electron gas
We present experimental results on the tunneling into the edge of a two
dimensional electron gas (2DEG) obtained with a GaAs/AlGaAs cleaved edge
overgrown structure in a strong perpendicular magnetic field. While the 2DEG
exhibits typical fractional quantum Hall features of a very high mobility
sample, we observe the onset of a non-linear current-voltage characteristic in
the vicinity of nu=1. For filling factor nu<1 the system is consistent with a
non-Fermi liquid behavior, such as a Luttinger liquid, whereas for nu>1 we
observe an Ohmic tunneling resistance between the edge and a three dimensional
contact, typical for a Fermi liquid. Hence, at the edge, there is a transition
from a Luttinger liquid to a Fermi liquid. Finally, we show that the Luttinger
liquid exponent at a given filling factor is not universal but depends on
sample parameters.Comment: 4 pages, 4 figure
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