Observation of 77 K Staircase I-V Characteristics in 2DEG's Irradiated by a Focused Ion Beam

Abstract
Staircase current-voltage (I-V) characteristics, observed at 77 K in narrow 2DEG channels irradiated by a single line scan of a focused ion beam (FIB), is reported in detail. These staircases are interpreted as evidence of single electron tunneling through a naturally occurring specific Coulomb island in the random potential fluctuations created by FIB damage. Clear comparison is made between the I-V's taken from wide channels and those from narrow channels. Based on orthodox calculations of the I-V characteristics, it is shown that highly asymmetric tunnel junctions are needed to explain our data. This is consistent with the random nature of the potential landscape in the FIB damaged region.

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