Cooling low-dimensional electron systems into the microkelvin regime.

Two-dimensional electron gases (2DEGs) with high mobility, engineered in semiconductor heterostructures host a variety of ordered phases arising from strong correlations, which emerge at sufficiently low temperatures. The 2DEG can be further controlled by surface gates to create quasi-one dimensional systems, with potential spintronic applications. Here we address the long-standing challenge of cooling such electrons to below 1 mK, potentially important for identification of topological phases and spin correlated states.

Probing temperature-driven flow lines in a gated two-dimensional electron gas with tunable spin-splitting.

We study the temperature flow of conductivities in a gated GaAs two-dimensional electron gas (2DEG) containing self-assembled InAs dots and compare the results with recent theoretical predictions. By changing the gate voltage, we are able to tune the 2DEG density and thus vary disorder and spin-splitting. Data for both the spin-resolved and spin-degenerate phase transitions are presented, the former collapsing to the latter with decreasing gate voltage and/or decreasing spin-splitting.

Andreev interferometers in a strong radio-frequency field.

We experimentally study the influence of 1-40 GHz radiation on the resistance of normal (N) mesoscopic conductors coupled to superconducting (S) loops (Andreev interferometers). At low radio-frequency (RF) amplitudes we observe the usual h/2e superconducting phase periodic resistance oscillations as a function of applied magnetic flux. We find that the oscillations acquire a π-shift with increasing RF amplitude, and consistently with this result the resistance at fixed phase is an oscillating function of the RF amplitude.

Quantum thermal conductance of electrons in a one-dimensional wire.

We use an electron thermometer to measure the temperature rise of approximately 2 x 10(5) electrons in a two-dimensional box, due to heat flow into the box through a ballistic one-dimensional (1D) constriction. Using a simple model we deduce the thermal conductance kappa(Vg) of the 1D constriction, which we compare to its electrical conductance characteristics; for the first four 1D subbands the heat carried by the electrons passing through the wire is proportional to its electrical conductance G(Vg). In the vicinity of the 0.

Andreev probe of persistent current states in superconducting quantum circuits.

Using the extraordinary sensitivity of Andreev interferometers to the superconducting phase difference associated with currents, we measure the persistent current quantum states in superconducting loops interrupted by Josephson junctions. Straightforward electrical resistance measurements of the interferometers give a continuous readout of the states, allowing us to construct the energy spectrum of the quantum circuit. The probe is estimated to be more precise and faster than previous methods, and can measure the local phase difference in a wide range of superconducting circuits.

Fano factor reduction on the 0.7 conductance structure of a ballistic one-dimensional wire.

We have measured the nonequilibrium current noise in a ballistic one-dimensional wire which exhibits an additional conductance plateau at 0.7x2e(2)/h. The Fano factor shows a clear reduction on the 0.