UCL Discovery

Abstract

We investigate one-dimensional (1D) quantum wires in the weak confinement regime, where, at certain densities, the 1D system of electrons bifurcates into two rows. We show that the two rows are coupled, forming bonding and antibonding states, and that the coupling persists in magnetic fields from 0 to 16 T. In order fors double row to form, the Coulomb interactions in the channel must overcome the confining potential, which can be achieved by tuning the density and confinement. Using a split-gate device with a top gate and back gate, we observe a transition from single-row to double-row behaviour in the weak confinement regime. We further probe the characteristics of the coupled double row regime with dc source-drain bias measurements. (C) 2009 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.