Spatial evolution of hot-electron relaxation in quantum Hall conductors

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Abstract
We have analyzed the energy relaxation of hot electrons in the prebreakdown regime of the quantum Hall effect. Hot electrons, generated by a periodic set of constrictions, are injected into two-dimensional electron systems (2DES’s) of various mobilities, with Hall fields below the breakdown value. The resistivity of the 2DES is measured as a function of the distance from the injection front. The results are compared with calculations on the basis of a nonequilibrium between the excitation and relaxation of hot electrons. Energy relaxation lengths from 0.3 to 3 μm were deduced, which increase with the mobility and are comparable to the mean free path.