The main focus of our research is the exotic collective behavior
of low dimensional electronic systems in semiconductors. Of special interest are
single- and multilayer two-dimensional electron systems in ultra-clean
GaAs/AlGaAs heterostructures grown by molecular beam epitaxy (MBE).
Experimental probes include electrical transport, tunneling spectroscopy,
and thermodynamic measurements at low temperatures (down to 10mK) and high
magnetic fields (up to 17 Tesla).
Two-dimensional electron systems have been the source of some of the
most spectacular discoveries in physics over the last 25 years. The integer
and fractional quantized Hall effects are perhaps the best known, but
dramatic findings continue to be made. For example, in conventional single
layer 2D systems, recent research of our and other groups have revealed the
existence of a whole new class of 2D electronic phases that resemble molecular
liquid crystals. There is also a growing body of experimental evidence suggesting
that under appropriate conditions, a double layer 2D electron system can
condense into a remarkable new kind of superfluid state. This new state is
analogous to a superconductor, only the "Cooper pairs" are excitons which consist
of an electron in one layer bound to a hole in the other. Excitonic superfluidity
has been sought for 40 years.
The fundamental reason that such qualitatively important results continue
to be obtained is that the technique of MBE crystal growth continues to be improved.
Indeed, the synergy between fundamental physics research and industrially important
materials science is a key feature of our work.
Eisenstein Group Website
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This page was last edited on: August 14, 2007