Bulk and shear viscosities in a multicomponent two-dimensional electron system

We investigated magnetotransport in mesoscopic samples containing electrons from three different subbands in GaAs triple wells. At high temperatures, we observed positive magnetoresistance, which we attribute to the imbalance between different types of particles that are sensitive to bulk viscosities. At low temperatures, we found negative magnetoresistance, attributed to shear viscosity. By analyzing the magnetoresistance data, we were able to determine both viscosities. Remarkably, the electronic bulk viscosity was significantly larger than the shear viscosity. Studying multicomponent electron systems in the hydrodynamic regime presents an intriguing opportunity to further explore the physics in systems with high bulk viscosity.