Reflection of ballistic electrons from diffusive regions

A. K. Geim; P. C. Main; R. Taboryski; E. Veje; H. A. Carmona; C. V. Brown; T. J. Foster; L. Eaves

doi:10.1103/PhysRevB.49.2265

Rapid Communication

Reflection of ballistic electrons from diffusive regions

A. K. Geim, P. C. Main, R. Taboryski, E. Veje, H. A. Carmona, C. V. Brown, T. J. Foster, and L. Eaves

Phys. Rev. B 49, 2265(R) – Published 15 January 1994

Abstract

We have investigated reflection of edge states from the boundary between a disordered region and a high-mobility region of a two-dimensional electron gas. α-particle bombardment has been employed to reduce selectively the mobility. We observe an exponential increase in reflection of the innermost edge state from the disordered region as the temperature decreases. The results are explained in terms of the Milne reflection of electrons which are elastically scattered back before thermalization can occur.