Exchange Interaction in an InSb Quantum Well Measured with Landau-Level Tunneling Spectroscopy
We studied InSb quantum well devices using Landau-level tunneling spectroscopy through a three-terminal differential conductance technique. This method is similar to filled-state scanning tunneling microscopy but uses a stationary contact instead of a mobile tip to analyze the two-dimensional electron system. Applying magnetic fields up to 15 T, we identified clear peaks in the differential current-voltage profiles, indicative of Landau-level formation. By examining deviations from the expected Landau fan diagram, we extract an absolute value for the exchange-induced energy shift. Through an empirical analysis, we derive a formula describing the exchange shift as a function of both magnetic field strength and electron filling. Our findings indicate that the emptying of the ν=2 and ν=3 Landau levels causes an exchange interaction energy shift in the ν=1 level. Unlike prior studies that infer level energies relative to one another and report oscillatory g-factor behavior, our method references the energy of the Landau levels above the filled states of the contact under a bias voltage, revealing that only the ground state Landau level experiences a measurable exchange shift.
Authors
- B. N. Murdin (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9219-652X)
- Phil Buckle
- G. V. Smith (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1069-5347)
- S. K. Clowes (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3918-0080)
- U. Zeitler (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5293-2673)
- Craig P. Allford (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3798-9014)
- Denver Shearer (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8259-4444)
- R. G. Simmons
Institutions
- Radboud University Nijmegen (NL)
- University of Surrey (GB)
- Cardiff University (GB)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Physical Review Letters
- Published
- 2025-09-29
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1103/rr3f-3zhd
- Primary Topic
- Quantum and electron transport phenomena
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00