Imaging magnetic focusing of coherent electron waves

• DOI: 10.1038/nphys628
• Publication Date: 2007-06-04T06:27:30Z
• Authors: Katherine E. Aidala; Robert E. Parrott; Tobias Kramer; E. J. Heller; R. M. Westervelt; M. P. Hanson; A. C. Gossard
• Keywords: Condensed Matter - Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics; Mesoscale and Nanoscale Physics (cond-mat.mes-hall); 0103 physical sciences; FOS: Physical sciences; 01 natural sciences

The magnetic focusing of electrons has proven its utility in fundamental studies of electron transport. Here we report the direct imaging of magnetic focusing of electron waves, specifically in a two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG). We see the semicircular trajectories of electrons as they bounce along a boundary in the 2DEG, as well as fringes showing the coherent nature of the electron waves. Imaging flow in open systems is made possible by a cooled scanning probe microscope. Remarkable agreement between experiment and theory demonstrates our ability to see these trajectories and to use this system as an interferometer. We image branched electron flow as well as the interference of electron waves. This technique can visualize the motion of electron waves between two points in an open system, providing a straightforward way to study systems that may be useful for quantum information processing and spintronics.